Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Destroying The Weak 2 (White)
Summary
Destroying The Weak 2 (White), 2015, is the companion to the first, a 20 x 20-inch gold-ink screen print on Astropaque Eclipse black paper in a signed and numbered edition of 75. It continues the sequence's imagery of predation, matching its partner's metallic treatment while advancing the narrative of Peterson's clashing, dominating figures.
Why It Matters
As the second half of a two-part series, this print gains meaning alongside its counterpart, and collectors frequently pursue both. The gold-on-black surface delivers the same ceremonial intensity, framing violence as something ritualized. An edition of 75 places it among Peterson's scarcer self-released works, reinforcing its collectibility.
Collector Perspective
The diptych logic is the key collector consideration: Destroying The Weak 1 and 2 read most powerfully hung together. The luminous gold ink on black stock frames beautifully. With only 75 signed impressions, sourcing a matching low-number pair is a genuine pursuit that rewards patient collectors.
Historical Context
Released in 2015 during Peterson's productive self-published period, the work extends his examination of power imbalance and human savagery. The direct title and the gilded, emblematic presentation align with the visual and thematic strategies of his contemporaneous editions, where cruelty is rendered with cold, decorative precision.
FAQ
Does this need its companion print?
It stands alone but is designed as the second of a pair; the sequence reads best with Destroying The Weak 1.
What ink and paper are used?
Gold ink on Astropaque Eclipse black paper.
What is the edition size?
A signed and numbered edition of 75.
How large is it?
20 x 20 inches.
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.