Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Divided We Stand, United We Fall (Timed Edition)
Summary
Divided We Stand, United We Fall is a 2022 timed-edition screen print, hand-pulled at 18 x 24 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges. Its edition size was fixed by sales during the release window. Each print is signed and numbered. The inverted maxim delivers a bleak comment on social fracture.
Why It Matters
By flipping the familiar 'united we stand' proverb, Peterson stages a pessimistic view of collective failure and division. The reversal encapsulates his broader critique of tribalism and conflict. As a timed edition, its run reflects real-time demand, and its pointed political phrasing places it among his most explicitly topical 2022 statements.
Collector Perspective
The timed-edition structure means the count was set only after the window closed, a scarcity factor collectors should verify. The archival Coventry Rag stock and signed-and-numbered format keep it gallery-grade. Its overtly political, inverted-proverb title gives it a strong conceptual hook within a themed Peterson collection.
Historical Context
Peterson's inversion of a patriotic proverb echoes a satirical tradition of subverting slogans to expose social contradiction. Amid a period of intense political polarization, the work reads as a direct response to fracture and discord. His 2022 timed editions carried such commentary straight to collectors outside conventional gallery channels.
FAQ
What does the inverted title mean?
It flips 'united we stand, divided we fall' to deliver a pessimistic view of social division and collective failure.
How was the edition size determined?
It is a timed edition; the final count was set by the quantity sold during the release window.
What are the dimensions?
It measures 18 x 24 inches, hand-pulled on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper.
Is the print signed?
Yes, each print is signed and numbered by the artist.
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.