Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Destroy America (Red)
Summary
Released in 2020 as an edition of 125, Destroy America (Red) is a hand-pulled screen print measuring 24 x 18 inches on 290gsm Arches Rag with deckled edges. Self-released by Peterson at a debut price of $150, it channels his black-and-red duotone vocabulary into an overtly political statement piece. Each impression is signed and numbered in pencil.
Why It Matters
This print marks one of Peterson's most explicit political interventions, tying his long-running iconography of predatory power directly to a named contemporary figure. It sharpens the abstract violence of his earlier work into pointed civic commentary, making it a documentary artifact of the 2020 American election-year mood as much as a graphic object.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 125 with an accessible original release price, this sits in Peterson's mid-scarcity band. Collectors value the Arches Rag substrate and hand-pulled process, but the explicit topical text narrows its buyer pool to those drawn to political work. Signed-and-numbered status and pristine deckled edges are the condition points to confirm.
Historical Context
Peterson built his reputation across the 2010s on stark scenes of brutality rendered in flat black and red. By 2020 he was self-releasing directly to collectors, bypassing traditional publishers. Destroy America belongs to a wave of protest-driven prints produced during a fraught election year, aligning his figurative violence with real political stakes.
FAQ
What is the edition size of Destroy America (Red)?
It is a limited edition of 125, each hand-pulled, signed, and numbered by Cleon Peterson.
What paper is it printed on?
290gsm Arches Rag with deckled edges, a heavyweight cotton rag stock Peterson favors for his self-released screen prints.
How large is the print?
24 x 18 inches, a standard mid-format for Peterson's single-figure political prints.
Was it published through a gallery?
No. It was self-released directly by Cleon Peterson in 2020 rather than through an outside publisher.
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.