Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Never Win, Never Lose (White)
Summary
Cleon Peterson's Never Win, Never Lose is a 2022 hand-pulled screen print in black and bone on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges. At 24 x 18 inches in an edition of 75, each sheet is signed and numbered. The title frames an existential stalemate, a fitting theme for Peterson's endless cycles of struggle.
Why It Matters
The phrase captures the futility Peterson so often stages: figures locked in perpetual combat with no resolution. That cyclical, no-exit tension is central to his critique of power and violence. Rendered in his reductive two-tone language, the print turns an aphorism into a visual argument about human conflict without end.
Collector Perspective
Released at $150 in an edition of 75, this is a mid-accessible Peterson print with strong archival credentials. The Coventry Rag stock and deckled edges match his gallery-quality output, while the signed-and-numbered format supports long-term collectibility. It pairs naturally with companion black-and-bone titles from the same 2022 self-released run.
Historical Context
Peterson built his reputation on flat, high-contrast tableaux of domination that recall ancient Greek pottery and twentieth-century propaganda. His 2022 self-released editions extended this vocabulary directly to collectors. Titles like this one, phrased as blunt maxims, reflect his interest in language as a lever for the moral weight of his imagery.
FAQ
How large is this print?
It measures 24 x 18 inches, hand-pulled as a screen print.
Is the print signed?
Yes, each print in the edition of 75 is signed and numbered by Cleon Peterson.
What year was it produced?
It was produced and self-released in 2022.
What theme does the title address?
The title evokes a perpetual stalemate, reinforcing Peterson's recurring theme of unresolved, cyclical conflict.
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.