Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Shanghai Street Nixon
Summary
"Shanghai Street Nixon" is a 2006 signed Faile silkscreen on archival 140 lb watercolor paper at 18 x 24 inches, issued in an edition of 15 as the first of three editions. Part of the Shanghai Street portrait series, it turns Richard Nixon into a subject of Faile's street-poster appropriation.
Why It Matters
Pairing Nixon with the Shanghai Street framing nods to the historic U.S.–China diplomatic thaw of the Nixon era, layering political history into Faile's pop vocabulary. As the first of three editions and limited to 15, it holds a distinct position within the series and rewards collectors attentive to edition sequencing.
Collector Perspective
Confirm this is the first edition of the three, as the sequencing affects how collectors rank it. Verify the Faile signature, the 140 lb archival watercolor stock, and the 18 x 24 inch size. Given the political-portrait subject, impressions with strong ink density and clean margins are the most desirable.
Historical Context
The Shanghai Street series juxtaposes Western political figures with East Asian street-advertising aesthetics, and Nixon — indelibly linked to the opening of relations with China — is a pointed choice. Produced in 2006, it reflects Faile's method of sampling global political and commercial imagery and recasting it as graphic street-derived portraiture.
FAQ
What edition is this?
It is an edition of 15 and the first of three editions in the series.
Is it signed?
Yes, it is signed by Faile and dated 2006.
What paper and dimensions?
Archival 140 lb watercolor paper at 18 x 24 inches.
Why choose Nixon?
The Shanghai Street framing resonates with Nixon's historic role in opening U.S.–China relations, layering political meaning into the image.
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.