Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
Punishment Is What We Wanted All Along
Summary
Cleon Peterson's Punishment Is What We Wanted All Along (2019) is a hand-pulled screen print in an edition of 100, sized at a square 28 x 28 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges. Self-released by the artist, each impression is signed and numbered. The title itself is the loudest gesture, framing the work as an indictment of complicity.
Why It Matters
The declarative, accusatory title sets this apart from Peterson's more scene-driven prints, functioning almost as a manifesto. The generous square format and archival Coventry Rag stock signal a work meant to be read as a statement piece. Self-released editions like this connect collectors directly to the studio, without a third-party publisher intermediary.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 100 and a large square footprint, this sits among the more substantial self-released Peterson prints. The signed-and-numbered pencil inscription and deckled-edge Coventry Rag are the details collectors verify on inspection. Its confrontational title makes it a focal work rather than a companion piece, best framed to stand alone.
Historical Context
By 2019 Peterson had built a decade-long visual language of black-figure violence borrowed from Greek pottery and social realism. This print's moralizing title reflects the artist's ongoing preoccupation with power, punishment, and collective guilt, themes that run throughout his self-released studio editions of the late 2010s.
FAQ
Is this print signed and numbered?
Yes. Each impression in the edition of 100 is hand-signed and numbered by Cleon Peterson, typically in pencil.
What paper is it printed on?
290gsm Coventry Rag, a heavyweight archival cotton stock, with deckled (naturally torn) edges.
How large is the print?
It measures 28 x 28 inches, a square format that reads as a standalone statement work.
Who published it?
It was self-released directly by Cleon Peterson, with no outside publisher.
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.