Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Brinksman I
Work Summary & Collector Notes
The Brinksman I is a 2011 screen print released through Obey Giant, signed by Cleon Peterson and numbered in an edition of 75. Measuring 23 x 23 inches on heavy Arches 100% cotton paper, the square format concentrates Peterson's charged figures into a taut, confrontational composition about power pushed to its edge.
Collector notes: The saved release record describes: 23 x 23 inch Screen Print, Signed by Cleon Peterson. Numbered Edition of 75. Printed on Heavy Arches 100% cotton paper. The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Why It Matters
The Obey Giant imprint places The Brinksman I within Shepard Fairey's influential publishing platform, a key channel that broadened Peterson's audience. The title's reference to brinkmanship, the strategy of escalating conflict to the threshold of catastrophe, aligns precisely with Peterson's abiding subject: aggression as a governing human instinct.
Collector Perspective
As the first of a numbered pair, The Brinksman I carries added appeal for collectors who value complete sets. The 75-piece edition on Arches cotton is comfortably scarce. Verify the pencil signature and number, and consider pairing it with The Brinksman II to preserve the diptych relationship the artist intended.
Historical Context
Released in 2011, this print reflects Peterson's growing profile within the Obey circle during a period when politically charged screen printing gained mainstream traction. The Brinksman series distills his mature style: reductive palette, interlocking bodies, and violence staged as ritual rather than accident.
Documented Release Details
- Object type
- Editioned print or object
- Release date
- 2011
- Release-date note
- Catalog-listed release year from the saved secondary record; primary release-page confirmation remains pending.
- Medium and materials
- catalog dimensions 23 x 23 inches; 23 x 23 inch Screen Print, Signed by Cleon Peterson. Numbered Edition of 75. Printed on Heavy Arches 100% cotton paper.
- Edition details
- The saved release record describes: 23 x 23 inch Screen Print, Signed by Cleon Peterson. Numbered Edition of 75. Printed on Heavy Arches 100% cotton paper.
- Signature and marks
- The saved release record describes: signed; numbered. Verify each feature against a documented example of this edition.
Documented History and Meaning
History note: This page treats Cleon Peterson's broader career as background context, not proof that this specific edition belongs to any single exhibition or event. Release-level facts here come from a saved secondary catalog record.
Meaning / interpretation: Read as documented context rather than stated intent: Released in 2011, this print reflects Peterson's growing profile within the Obey circle during a period when politically charged screen printing gained mainstream traction. This is an interpretive reading of the release context, not a statement of the artist's intent for this specific work. This interpretive note follows the cited artist or publisher context.
Release context: The saved catalog lists 2011 and attributes the edition to Obey Giant.
Authentication, Presentation and Provenance
- Original presentation
- Original packaging or presentation was not documented in the release sources reviewed.
- Authentication note
- Compare the support, dimensions, edition number, and signature against a documented example of this edition. Gauntlet Gallery does not authenticate works purchased from third parties.
- Provenance note
- Edition origin is attributed in the saved record to Obey Giant. That does not establish the ownership history of an individual copy: retain the original invoice, reseller or gallery paperwork, labels, correspondence, and condition photographs.
Sources and Verification
Verification status: Secondary catalog snapshot; artist-level context added
- Saved release record — Art Collectorz · secondary catalog snapshot · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Starting record for title, year, edition, dimensions, medium, and release description. Primary confirmation against the original release page remains pending.
- Cleon Peterson — official site — Cleon Peterson studio · primary artist source · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Official artist site; career context, not an individual-edition record.
- Cleon Peterson — Wikipedia · reference encyclopedia · Accessed 2026-07-13 · General artist-level biographical and career reference.
- Cleon Peterson (Q124215748) — Wikidata · reference knowledge base · Accessed 2026-07-13 · Structured identifier used for the artist across catalog metadata.
FAQ
Is The Brinksman I signed?
Yes, it is signed by Cleon Peterson and numbered in an edition of 75.
Does it have a companion print?
Yes, it pairs with The Brinksman II, also released in 2011 through Obey Giant in an edition of 75.
What paper and size?
It is a 23 x 23 inch screen print on heavy Arches 100% cotton paper.
