Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Junky (Red)
Summary
The red variant of Peterson's 2015 self-released screen print, a 20 by 20 inch square hand pulled on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges. The edition is limited to just 75, each impression signed and numbered by the artist. The compact square format and small run make it one of his tighter early self-released editions.
Why It Matters
At only 75 impressions, Junky is among the scarcer sheets in Peterson's catalog. The 2015 date places it in an earlier, less widely distributed phase of his print production, and the subject, addiction and its degradations, extends his chaos vocabulary from violence into the theme of self-destruction.
Collector Perspective
The 75-piece edition is meaningfully smaller than his later 125 and 150 runs, giving this title genuine scarcity within the body of work. Red as the operative color is emphatic and hard to ignore on a wall. Self-released provenance means signature and numbering are the anchors; the square format frames cleanly.
Historical Context
Peterson's early work drew directly on his own history and on urban subcultures of addiction and violence. Junky names that world without euphemism, situating the piece among 2015 editions that established the raw, autobiographical undercurrent beneath his later, more monumental and politically framed compositions.
FAQ
How scarce is this print?
The edition is limited to 75, one of the smaller runs in Peterson's catalog.
What is the colorway?
This is the red variant of the image.
What size is it?
A 20 by 20 inch square on Coventry Rag paper.
Who released it?
It is self-released by Cleon Peterson, 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.