Faile
Right around the corner, best surprise you ever received
2011
Screenprint on paper
93 × 61 cm
Limited edition — It was a limited promotional print intended for display; there are hardly any left now – the entire stock was stuck up!
Location: Paris, France
Documents
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Invoice or proof of purchase
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Certificate of authenticity
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Other documents
About the artwork
This composition features a repetitive,grid-like arrangement of a graphic design reminiscent of vintage packaging or advertising. The central element is the stylized red word "Faile," presented in a script font against a light blue background. Below this,the phrase "THE BEST SURPRISE YOU EVER RECEIVED" is printed in a sans-serif typeface,while "RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER" appears above.
An anthropomorphic elephant character is depicted on the right side of each repeated segment. This character wears a bowler hat and overalls,holding what appears to be a paint roller or brush. The year "1986" is visible on the elephant's overalls in some iterations,suggesting a specific cultural reference or a nod to a past era. The design also incorporates monetary values,with "$8" and "$6" placed near the "Faile" logo and the elephant,further enhancing the commercial aesthetic.
The artwork employs a screenprinting technique,evident in the flat areas of color and the slight texture visible in the printed lines. The recurring motifs,including the elephant and the specific phrases,are characteristic of the artists' practice of recontextualizing found imagery and creating a sense of fragmented nostalgia. The overall aesthetic suggests a blend of Pop Art sensibilities with street art influences,reflecting the artists' engagement with consumer culture and urban visual language.
Expert opinion
The artwork aligns with the artists' established practice of integrating commercial aesthetics and popular culture iconography into their work,a characteristic that places them within the broader context of Pop Art and Street Art movements. The recurring motifs and fragmented imagery are consistent with their approach to appropriation and collage. The market for the artists' work has seen consistent activity,particularly for their prints and multiples,which are accessible to a range of collectors. Their institutional recognition,including exhibitions at prominent museums,supports their position in the contemporary art market.
About the artist
FAILE is the Brooklyn-based artistic collaboration of Patrick McNeil (b. 1975) and Patrick Miller (b. 1976), formed in 1999. Widely regarded as pioneers of contemporary urban art, the duo has developed a distinctive visual language that blends collage, printmaking, painting, sculpture, and large-scale public installations. Drawing inspiration from comic books, advertising, cinema, religion, and American popular culture, FAILE deconstructs and recombines familiar imagery into layered, fragmented compositions. Their vibrant works blur the boundaries between street art and fine art while exploring themes of consumerism, memory, mythology, and collective storytelling. FAILE's work has been exhibited in leading museums and institutions worldwide, including Tate Modern in London, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Strasbourg, and the Brooklyn Museum in New York. Their work is also part of numerous public and private collections.
Working across a wide range of media, from canvas and wood to monumental murals and immersive installations, FAILE continues to shape the global urban art movement through its bold visual identity and multidisciplinary approach.
Additional info
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