Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Macbeth (First Edition)
Summary
"Macbeth (First Edition)" is a 2006 five-color Faile screen print measuring 70 x 50 cm. Described by the collective as a haunting new release timed to Mexican Day of the Dead, it channels a darker, more atmospheric register than Faile's pop-romance editions, rendered in a layered multi-color silkscreen.
Why It Matters
The five-color process and larger open-format release make "Macbeth" a more accessible entry point into Faile's editions than their tiny hand-finished runs. Its explicit tie to Day of the Dead and a Shakespearean, mortality-tinged theme mark it as one of the studio's more narrative, mood-driven prints from the period.
Collector Perspective
As a larger-run screen print, condition and color registration are the primary value drivers — check that the five colors align crisply and that the sheet is free of fading or handling marks. Confirm it is the metric 70 x 50 cm format. This is a piece to buy for its imagery and register, where crisp, unfaded impressions stand out.
Historical Context
Released in 2006 around the Day of the Dead, "Macbeth" reflects Faile's engagement with mortality, drama, and gothic atmosphere — a thread distinct from their brighter pulp-romance work. The Shakespearean title and skeletal/haunting associations align with the collective's habit of layering literary and cultural references into their graphic vocabulary.
FAQ
How many colors are in the print?
It is a five-color screen print.
What occasion was it tied to?
Faile released it in time for Mexican Day of the Dead in 2006.
What size is it?
It measures 70 x 50 cm.
How does it differ from Faile's romance prints?
It leans into a haunting, mortality-themed register rather than the pop-romance imagery of many other editions.
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.