Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Torment (Purple)
Summary
Torment (Purple) is a 2007 Faile varied edition of 17, made in acrylic and silkscreen on archival 140 lb watercolor paper at 18 x 24 inches. The purple colorway distinguishes this variant, and the compact format concentrates the collective's pulp-melodrama imagery. Signed, stamped, and numbered, with each hand-finished sheet differing.
Why It Matters
Torment belongs to Faile's emotionally charged pulp-titled series, and the purple colorway marks it as one variant within a palette-based run. At a modest 18 x 24 inches, it is smaller than the collective's large collage panels, offering a more intimate hand-finished piece for collectors of Faile's romance-and-torment thematic strand.
Collector Perspective
An edition of 17 keeps this scarce. The purple colorway is the defining variable, since Faile released Torment across multiple palettes. Collectors weigh the vibrancy of the purple, the hand-finishing, and the state of the signature-and-number stamp on the compact watercolor-paper sheet.
Historical Context
Faile's habit of issuing the same composition in named colorways gave collectors multiple versions of a single image, and Torment exemplifies this. The 2007 watercolor-paper editions represent a period of consistent small-run output that carried the collective's street-derived aesthetic into the studio.
FAQ
What distinguishes the purple variant?
Torment was released in multiple colorways; the purple version is one named palette variant within that run.
How many were made?
It is a varied edition of 17, hand-finished in acrylic and silkscreen on 140 lb watercolor paper, signed, stamped, and numbered.
What size is the print?
It measures 18 x 24 inches, a compact format relative to Faile's large collage editions.
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.