Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Cruelty Is The Message (Red)
Summary
A 2024 hand-pulled screen print in a red edition of 125, in a wide panoramic 14 x 44 inch format on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper. "Cruelty Is The Message" is a declarative title that condenses Peterson's entire thesis, presented across a broad horizontal frieze.
Why It Matters
The title functions almost as an artist's statement, naming cruelty itself as the content and communication of the work, a knowing nod to media theory. The elongated horizontal format encourages a processional, frieze-like reading of violence unfolding across its length, amplifying the sense of a repeating, systemic pattern.
Collector Perspective
The dramatic 14 x 44 inch panorama is a statement-scale piece suited to long walls and above-furniture placement, giving it standout display potential. The red colorway intensifies the theme, and while the edition of 125 is among the larger 2024 runs, the format and blunt title give it strong individual identity.
Historical Context
Peterson's horizontal compositions consciously evoke classical friezes and battle reliefs, where violence was carved as continuous narrative. The title's phrasing recalls the mid-century idea that the medium is the message, repurposed to argue that in Peterson's world the delivery mechanism of power is cruelty itself.
FAQ
What is the format?
A wide panoramic frieze measuring 14 x 44 inches.
What is the edition and colorway?
A red edition limited to 125 hand-pulled screen prints.
What does the title suggest?
It frames cruelty as the very content and communication of the work, echoing media theory.
What paper is used?
290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
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.