Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Nowhere Man (Black & White)
Summary
A 2024 hand-pulled screen print in a black-and-white edition of 100, notable for its elongated 13 x 38.5 inch vertical format on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper. "Nowhere Man" distills Peterson's stark duotone figuration into a tall, panel-like composition built for dramatic vertical display.
Why It Matters
The unusually narrow, towering proportions set this print apart from Peterson's more conventional formats, forcing a vertical reading of the figure that emphasizes isolation and displacement. The title's evocation of a person belonging nowhere aligns with his enduring concern for alienation within systems of power.
Collector Perspective
The dramatic vertical format is a practical draw for collectors with specific wall spaces such as stairwells or narrow panels, and it differentiates the piece within a Peterson grouping. At an edition of 100 and self-released, it balances availability with the formal distinctiveness that rewards a considered hang.
Historical Context
Peterson's black-and-white duotone remains his signature idiom, reducing human conflict to silhouette and gesture. Elongated formats recall processional friezes and scroll compositions, traditions of narrative art in which the eye travels along a single axis, here condensed into a solitary, dislocated figure.
FAQ
What makes the format unusual?
It is a tall, narrow vertical at 13 x 38.5 inches, unlike his more standard rectangular prints.
What is the edition size?
A limited edition of 100 hand-pulled screen prints.
What colorway is it?
Black and white, Peterson's signature duotone.
What paper is used?
290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
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.