Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Savage Encounters (First Edition)
Summary
Savage Encounters is a 2007 hand-finished varied-edition print of 3, in acrylic and silkscreen on Lenox 100 paper, 17 x 25 inches. Signed, stamped, and numbered by Faile, its tiny run and pulp-adventure title place it among the studio's rarest early hand-worked releases.
Why It Matters
A varied edition of just 3 means each example was deliberately made to differ, so no two Savage Encounters are alike. This is scarcity and uniqueness combined. The savage-adventure framing draws on the lurid pulp and comic sources Faile mined constantly, making it a concentrated example of the studio's 2007 aesthetic.
Collector Perspective
With a varied edition of 3, collectors are effectively acquiring a near-unique work, so documenting the specific variation is essential. Provenance carries significant weight at this run size. Verify the signature, stamp, and numbering, and inspect the Lenox 100 sheet for handling, since studio-worked pieces were often handled repeatedly.
Historical Context
Savage Encounters draws on the adventure and exploitation imagery of vintage pulp and comics, a wellspring for Faile's collage practice. Its 2007 date and varied-edition format reflect the studio's early experimentation with hand-finished, deliberately differentiated print runs before larger editions became more common.
FAQ
What is a varied edition?
Each of the 3 examples was intentionally hand-finished to differ, so no two are identical.
How rare is it?
Very rare, from a varied edition of only 3.
What sources inform it?
Vintage pulp and comic adventure imagery, central to Faile's collage vocabulary.
How is it authenticated?
Signed, stamped, and numbered by Faile, 2007.
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.