Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Collaborator (White)
Summary
The Collaborator (White) (2019) is a hand-pulled black-and-red screen print measuring 18 x 24 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag with deckled edges. Self-released in a larger edition of 150, signed and numbered, the "White" designation marks a lighter ground colorway, with the title indicting those who enable violence.
Why It Matters
"The Collaborator" turns Peterson's lens on complicity rather than direct aggression, a subtler moral target. The white-ground colorway lets the black-and-red imagery read with high contrast and clarity. As part of a colorway pairing, it offers collectors a choice of palette within the same composition.
Collector Perspective
At an edition of 150, this is one of the more available Peterson prints, making it an accessible entry point for new collectors. The white colorway suits brighter interiors and archival framing. Collectors sometimes seek both the white and alternate colorways as a matched pair to display the composition's range.
Historical Context
The figure of the collaborator, one who aids oppression from within, has haunted political history and art alike. Peterson folds this theme into his black-figure vocabulary, broadening his critique from perpetrators to the enablers who make systemic violence possible, a natural extension of his 2019 statement editions.
FAQ
What does 'White' refer to?
It denotes the lighter-ground colorway of the composition, distinguishing it from alternate versions.
How large is the edition?
150 impressions, one of Peterson's larger self-released runs, each signed and numbered.
What are the dimensions?
18 x 24 inches on 290gsm Coventry Rag with deckled edges.
What is the theme?
Complicity, the title targets those who enable violence rather than commit it directly.
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.