Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Surfer Horse (IV)
Summary
Surfer Horse (#4) is a 2007 hand-finished varied-edition print of 18, in acrylic and silkscreen on Lenox 100 paper, 32 x 21 inches. Signed, stamped, and numbered by Faile, its surreal surfer-and-horse mashup exemplifies the studio's playful juxtaposition of unrelated pop and Americana imagery.
Why It Matters
The Surfer Horse motif is a vivid example of Faile's collage logic, colliding surf culture and equestrian imagery into a single surreal emblem. As a fourth iteration in a varied edition of 18, it reflects a developed, sought-after motif. The larger 32-inch dimension gives the composition strong graphic presence.
Collector Perspective
Surfer Horse is one of the more distinctive and recognizable Faile motifs, making it appealing beyond religious or romance collectors. At a varied edition of 18, availability is moderate; confirm your example's variation and the (IV / #4) iteration. Verify signature, stamp, and numbering, and assess the sizable Lenox 100 sheet for clean margins.
Historical Context
Faile's Americana and pop juxtapositions draw on mid-century advertising, sport, and leisure imagery, remixed into surreal hybrids. Produced in 2007, Surfer Horse captures the studio's humor and its collage instinct at full tilt, fusing incongruous cultural signifiers into a memorable, poster-like image.
FAQ
What is depicted?
A surreal mashup of surf and equestrian imagery, a hallmark of Faile's collage juxtapositions.
How many were made?
A varied edition of 18, each hand-finished on Lenox 100 paper.
What are the dimensions?
32 x 21 inches, giving it strong graphic presence.
What iteration is this?
The fourth (#4 / IV) in the Surfer Horse motif, signed 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.