Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Suspenso / Elegant Danger (First Edition)
Summary
Suspenso / Elegant Danger is a hand-painted varied edition of just 11, printed on heavyweight archival paper at 28 x 40 inches. Each of the eleven impressions is individually worked, signed, stamped, and embossed with the FAILE 2016 mark. The B-Side construction and tiny edition size place it among the studio's rarest editioned works.
Why It Matters
An edition of only 11 makes Suspenso / Elegant Danger one of the scarcest hand-painted varied editions in FAILE's catalog. The bilingual title pairing pulp-melodrama suspense with elegant danger reflects the duo's fondness for cinematic, comic, and romance-tabloid sources, and the individual hand-work renders each of the eleven essentially unique.
Collector Perspective
At a $2,500 release with only 11 examples, this is a genuinely rare acquisition where each impression is distinct. Collectors should evaluate the specific example's composition and condition closely, verify the signature, stamp, and embossing, and note the FAILE 2016 mark against the 2018 catalog listing when comparing pieces.
Historical Context
The Suspenso imagery draws on Spanish-language pulp and melodrama sources, part of FAILE's long engagement with mid-century comic and tabloid aesthetics. Extremely small hand-painted varied editions like this represent the apex of the studio's editioned practice, produced in numbers approaching unique works.
FAQ
How rare is this edition?
With only 11 hand-painted impressions, it is among the smallest and rarest varied editions FAILE has produced.
Why does it read FAILE 2016 if listed as 2018?
The FAILE 2016 stamp is part of the imagery and marking; collectors should note both the stamp date and the catalog release year when comparing examples.
Are impressions identical?
No. Each of the 11 is hand-painted and varied, so every impression is distinct.
What does the title reference?
Suspenso draws on Spanish-language pulp and melodrama imagery, paired here with the Elegant Danger B-Side.
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.