Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Faile Print Index
Wrestling With Faile
Summary
Wrestling With Faile is a 2023 archival pigment print on Entrada 290gsm cotton rag, issued at 12 x 16 inches in an edition of 250. The deckled edge, embossing, and hand-signature place it in the Brooklyn duo's accessible block-print tradition, where the wrestling motif fuses vintage sporting graphics with the collaged, layered typography that defines their studio language.
Why It Matters
This print distills Faile's core visual grammar into an approachable format. The wrestling imagery ties directly to the duo's long fascination with pulp Americana, athletic bravado, and mid-century advertising. At an edition of 250 with a deckle and emboss, it functions as an entry point into the studio's editioned output without sacrificing the archival materials collectors expect.
Collector Perspective
For collectors, the appeal lies in the combination of a mid-size edition and premium cotton rag support. The signature, emboss, and deckled edge are the authentication cues to verify. As a 2023 release it sits among the studio's more recent block-print offerings, making it a straightforward, well-documented acquisition for anyone building a representative Faile holding.
Historical Context
Faile, formed by Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller, built its reputation on street-poster collage before moving into gallery editions, prints, and immersive installations. The block-print series continues their reclamation of found American iconography. Wrestling With Faile belongs to this thread, translating the raw energy of their pasted street work into a controlled, archival studio edition.
FAQ
What is the edition size of Wrestling With Faile?
It is an edition of 250, printed at 12 x 16 inches on Entrada 290gsm cotton rag.
Is this print signed?
Yes. It is signed and embossed FAILE 2023, and features a deckled edge as issued.
What printing method was used?
It is an archival pigment (giclee) print, using archival inks on heavyweight cotton rag paper.
What imagery does the print feature?
It draws on Faile's wrestling motif, blending vintage sporting graphics with the studio's signature collaged typography.
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.