Patrick McNeil and Patrick Miller have worked in a wide range of materials and styles since the inception of FAILE in 1999. They are best known for their prints, paintings, and mixed-media installations, which have been exhibited in museums and galleries around the world. Inspired by American folk art and the visual tapestry of city walls, their work is characterized by a vibrant weaving of abstraction, mass culture, and commercial typography. FAILE: Works on Wood is a new collection of essays and rich color photographs that showcases FAILE's exploration of wood in their practice. It presents a broad swath of their projects from the past decade, from early work using salvaged material to more recent commissions, such as their towering installation at the New York City Ballet. The book features both critical writing and reflections by the artists on now iconic facets of their work in and out of the studio, including their interactive Puzzle Boxes, carved Prayer Wheels, and bold, large-scale painting. Following Gestalten's two bestsellers FAILE: Prints + Originals 1999-2009 and FAILE Temple, FAILE: Works on Wood features beautiful color reproductions and guides readers through the artists' work with a versatile medium. In the process, the book shows that FAILE has evolved and adapted in dialogue with their materials, and will do so for years to come.
