Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Smoking Silence (First Edition)
Summary
Smoking Silence (First Edition) is a 2007 Faile typographic work combining laser etching, silkscreen, and spraypaint on paper at 18 x 24 inches. Part of a series of four typographic pieces, the text is physically burned into the paper by laser etching — a tactile, hard-to-photograph detail that sets it apart from Faile's image-driven editions.
Why It Matters
Smoking Silence is unusual in Faile's catalog for foregrounding type and material process over collage imagery. The laser-etched, burned-in lettering gives the sheet a sculptural, low-relief quality, and its place within a four-part typographic series makes it a distinctive conceptual departure for the collective.
Collector Perspective
Collectors value this piece for its material innovation — the burned-in type is a tactile feature rarely seen in screen-printed editions. The combination of laser etching, silkscreen, and spraypaint on a compact 18 x 24 inch sheet rewards in-person viewing, since the etched text is subtle in photographs. Condition of the etched surface is a key consideration.
Historical Context
In 2007 Faile experimented beyond straight screen printing, and the four-part typographic series that includes Smoking Silence reflects that. Incorporating laser etching alongside their usual silkscreen and spraypaint shows the collective pushing into new materials while retaining their street-derived graphic sensibility.
FAQ
What makes the type unusual?
The lettering is physically burned into the paper by laser etching, giving it a low-relief, tactile quality that is difficult to capture in photographs.
Is this part of a series?
Yes. It is one of four typographic pieces Faile produced using laser etching, silkscreen, and spraypaint on paper.
What size is it?
The sheet measures 18 x 24 inches, combining laser etching, silkscreen, and spraypaint.
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.