Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
River Of Blood (2023) (Gold)
Summary
River Of Blood (2023) in its Gold colorway is a 24 x 18 inch hand-pulled screen print from Cleon Peterson's self-released catalog. Issued in a signed and numbered edition of 100 on 290gsm Coventry Rag with deckled edges, it channels the artist's signature language of struggle rendered in flat, high-contrast silhouettes across a gilded ground.
Why It Matters
The title makes Peterson's thematic hand explicit: violence as a fluid, engulfing force. The Gold treatment lifts his brutalist figuration into something almost votive, contrasting sacred surface against profane subject. At an edition of 100, it is the more accessible run within this 2023 self-released series while still carrying full hand-pulled and hand-signed credentials.
Collector Perspective
Collectors gravitate to the metallic variants for their wall presence and their tension between beauty and dread. The larger edition of 100 means broader availability, making this a common entry point into Peterson's work. Heavyweight Coventry Rag and deckled edges reward proper framing, and the signed-and-numbered format supports long-term catalog placement.
Historical Context
Peterson emerged from Los Angeles skate and street culture, building a reputation on stark black-and-white tableaux of power, cruelty, and mob behavior. His self-released prints, distributed directly rather than through a traditional publisher, reflect the direct-to-collector model many contemporary street-adjacent artists adopted through the 2020s. River Of Blood sits within that 2023 body of work.
FAQ
How large is the edition?
River Of Blood (Gold) was released in a signed and numbered edition of 100.
What paper is it printed on?
It is a hand-pulled screen print on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges.
Is each print signed?
Yes. Each impression is hand-signed and numbered by Cleon Peterson.
Who published this print?
It was self-released by the artist rather than through an 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.