Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
In Trembling Whispers (On Brown)
Summary
In Trembling Whispers (On Brown) is a 2008 hand-finished work in acrylic, spray paint, and silkscreen ink on Lenox 100 paper, 25 x 38 inches. It is the first edition of 12 within a three-part release structure (1 of 3 editions of 12), stamped, numbered, and signed Faile.
Why It Matters
The '1st Edition of 12 (1/3 Editions of 12)' notation reveals Faile's layered release strategy, where a motif is issued across multiple color or state variants. Owning the first of those runs carries added significance for collectors tracking a motif's full arc. Spray paint over silkscreen again ties it to the studio's street roots.
Collector Perspective
Understanding the three-edition structure is key: this brown variant is one of several parallel runs, so collectors should confirm exactly which edition they hold. The spray-paint layer makes each of the 12 examples subtly unique. Verify signature, stamp, and numbering, and note the 'sneak peek' framing that positioned this as a preview of a larger series.
Historical Context
Described by the studio as a sneak peek, this work reflects Faile's practice of teasing forthcoming bodies of work through limited hand-finished editions. The trembling-whispers title extends the romance-and-confession vocabulary the duo mined throughout 2008, blending intimacy with the studio's pulp-derived typography.
FAQ
What does '1 of 3 editions of 12' mean?
The motif was released as three parallel editions of 12; this brown version is the first of those runs.
What techniques were used?
Acrylic, spray paint, and silkscreen ink, hand-finished on Lenox 100 paper.
Was this a preview work?
Yes, the studio framed it as a sneak peek at a forthcoming series.
Is it signed?
Yes, stamped, numbered, and signed Faile, 2008.
About the Artist
FAILE is a Brooklyn-based artistic collaboration founded in 1999 by Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller. Known for a distinctive collage aesthetic that blends comic-book imagery, pulp advertising, religious iconography, and street-poster typography, FAILE built its reputation through wheat-pasted works and stencils in cities worldwide. The duo is celebrated for reviving printmaking and woodblock techniques, and for immersive installations such as their prayer-wheel and temple environments. Their work has been exhibited internationally, including projects with the New York City Ballet, bridging street practice and fine-art institutions.
Collecting Faile at Gauntlet Gallery
Which FAILE works are best to collect?
FAILE's signed, numbered silkscreen editions and their hand-finished wood and mixed-media pieces are the core of the market. Screenprints from their studio releases offer an accessible entry, while unique wooden "blocks" and painted works sit at the higher end. Gauntlet Gallery focuses on complete, well-preserved impressions with strong color registration.
How is a FAILE piece authenticated?
We sell FAILE works with documented studio provenance, backed by the edition's signature and numbering. Every piece is photographed as-is, including the signature, edition number, and any studio markings, so you can confirm details before purchase.
What makes one FAILE piece worth more?
Edition size, medium (unique wood pieces over open prints), iconic imagery, condition, and provenance from a known release all drive value. Hand-embellished and one-of-a-kind works consistently outperform standard editioned prints.