Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Marmaid (Unsigned)
Summary
"Marmaid" is a 2003 Faile screen print, printed large at 100 x 70 cm in an edition of 750, with numbers 1-100 signed by the artist and the balance unsigned. This impression falls in the unsigned tier. Its poster-scale format and wry, provocative copy sit squarely within Faile's early street-derived aesthetic.
Why It Matters
At 100 x 70 cm this is one of Faile's larger early editions, a wall-filling screen print from 2003, the collective's formative gallery period. The tongue-in-cheek marketing language paired with layered imagery captures the group's roots in provocative street posters and their fluency in the ironic vocabulary of advertising and pop culture.
Collector Perspective
This is an unsigned impression from the wider portion of the 750-run edition; the signed 1-100 numbers form a smaller, generally more sought-after subset. For collectors, the appeal here is the large format and the strong early-Faile aesthetic at an accessible entry point. Given the scale, inspect for creasing, edge wear, and light-fastness before framing.
Historical Context
Formed in Brooklyn around 2003, Faile built its language from wheat-pasted street posters that mixed comic panels, romance imagery, and consumer typography. "Marmaid" belongs to that early output, when the collective translated flyposting energy into screen-printed editions. The large format echoes the scale of the posters they were then pasting across city walls.
FAQ
Is this impression of Marmaid signed?
No. This is an unsigned impression. Within the edition of 750, only numbers 1-100 were signed by the artist; this example is from the unsigned balance.
How big is the print?
It measures 100 x 70 cm, making it one of the larger early Faile screen-print editions.
What is the total edition size?
The edition is 750, of which the first 100 were signed and the remainder, including this one, left unsigned.
When was it produced?
It dates to 2003, during Faile's early transition from street posters to gallery 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.