Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Los Angeles De Faile Gold
Summary
"Los Angeles De Faile Gold" is a hand-pressed gold foil print on 290 gsm Coventry Rag from an edition of 50, measuring 92 x 61 cm. Signed, stamped, and numbered FAILE 2011, its luminous gold-foil surface sets it apart as a luxe, materially distinctive release.
Why It Matters
Hand-pressed gold foil is a premium, labor-intensive technique that gives this edition of 50 a reflective, metallic surface unlike standard screen prints. The Los Angeles theme and heavyweight Coventry Rag stock reinforce its status as a special release, and the foil process makes each impression a tactile, light-catching object.
Collector Perspective
Collectors prize the gold-foil surface for its distinctive luster and the difficulty of the hand-pressing process. At 50 signed and numbered impressions it is scarce, and the metallic finish demands careful handling and display away from abrasion. Condition of the foil is the paramount concern, since scuffs are difficult to remedy on such surfaces.
Historical Context
FAILE periodically issued gold-foil editions as elevated counterparts to their standard prints, using metallic surfaces to heighten the quasi-devotional, gilded quality of their iconography. This 2011 Los Angeles edition applies that luxe treatment to a place-based composition, part of the duo's series naming works after cities.
FAQ
What makes this print distinctive?
It features hand-pressed gold foil on heavyweight Coventry Rag, giving it a metallic surface.
What is the edition size?
It is an edition of 50, signed, stamped, and numbered.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 92 x 61 cm.
What should collectors watch for?
Condition of the delicate gold-foil surface, since scuffs are hard to correct.
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.