Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Rap (Blue)
Summary
Rap (Blue) is a 2023 hand-finished print combining acrylic, spray paint, silkscreen ink, and glitter on archival Lenox 100 paper, sized 19 x 25 inches in an edition of 50. Embossed, signed, and numbered, its mixed-media surface and glitter accents make it a texturally rich, hand-worked object rather than a flat screen print.
Why It Matters
This piece exemplifies Faile's layered, mixed-media approach, where spray paint and glitter push a silkscreen base into hand-embellished territory. The added acrylic and spray work connect it to the studio's street-art roots, while the glitter introduces a distinctive tactile and reflective quality uncommon in standard editions.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 50 with hand-applied media, individual variation and surface condition matter. Collectors should confirm the emboss, signature, and numbering, and inspect the glitter and spray layers, which are more delicate than flat ink. The mixed-media construction places it above plain screen prints in desirability within the studio's editioned output.
Historical Context
Faile's DNA is rooted in spray paint, wheat paste, and collage from their street-art era. Prints like Rap (Blue) carry that vocabulary into the studio, layering aerosol and hand-painting over silkscreen. The glitter and acrylic reflect the duo's willingness to treat editions as sites for continued hand intervention.
FAQ
What media are used in Rap (Blue)?
Acrylic, spray paint, silkscreen ink, and glitter on archival Lenox 100 paper.
How many were produced?
It is an edition of 50, each embossed, signed, and numbered.
Is this a flat print?
No. Hand-applied spray paint, acrylic, and glitter give it a textured, mixed-media surface.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 19 x 25 inches.
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.