Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
American Still Life: Shots Fired
Summary
American Still Life: Shots Fired is a 2026 first-edition, hand-pulled screen print self-released by Cleon Peterson in a tight edition of 35, printed at roughly 15 x 28.125 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges. The elongated horizontal format and loaded title place gun violence squarely within the frame of American domesticity.
Why It Matters
By fusing the genteel art-historical convention of the "still life" with the phrase "shots fired," Peterson stages a collision between American comfort and American violence. It is among his most direct confrontations with the country's gun culture, and the panoramic format gives the composition a cinematic, unsettling breadth.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of only 35 — smaller than his 50-count red prints — and marked as a first edition, this carries elevated scarcity within Peterson's 2026 output. The wide 28-inch format is comparatively rare in his catalog and makes a bold statement piece. Verify first-edition status, numbering, and the condition of the long deckled edges.
Historical Context
The American Still Life title frames a body of work in which Peterson turns his brutalist visual language on specifically American pathologies. "Shots Fired" extends his career-long preoccupation with violence, here channeled through the loaded iconography of firearms and national identity.
FAQ
Why is this considered scarcer than his other 2026 prints?
The edition is limited to 35, smaller than the editions of 50 used for his red colorway prints of the same year, making it comparatively harder to acquire.
What is unusual about the format?
At roughly 15 x 28.125 inches, it is an elongated horizontal format that is uncommon in Peterson's catalog and lends the composition a panoramic, cinematic quality.
What does 'first edition' mean here?
It denotes the initial release of the composition. Peterson sometimes revisits or re-releases images, so the first-edition marker distinguishes this original issue.
What theme does the work address?
The title pairs the still-life tradition with gun violence, making it one of Peterson's most direct statements on American firearms culture.
About the Artist
Cleon Peterson (born 1973, Seattle) is an American artist known for stark, high-contrast compositions depicting scenes of violence, power, and social conflict. Working primarily in a limited palette — often black on a single bold ground — he renders chaotic tableaux of figures locked in struggle, exploring themes of authority, brutality, and moral disorder in contemporary society. His graphic, almost hieroglyphic style has appeared in paintings, murals, and a substantial catalogue of signed prints, as well as collaborations spanning fashion and public art. He is based in Los Angeles.
Collecting Cleon Peterson at Gauntlet Gallery
Which Cleon Peterson works should I collect?
His signed, numbered screenprints are the core of the market, prized for their bold duotone impact. Look for clean registration and strong condition. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes complete, well-preserved impressions with documentation.
How is a Cleon Peterson piece authenticated?
We sell his works with documented provenance and the edition's signature and numbering. Each piece is photographed as-is, including signature and edition details, so you can verify before purchase.
What drives value?
Edition size, image iconicity, color scheme, condition, and provenance drive value. Low-numbered, large-format, and hand-embellished works command the strongest premiums.