Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Genocide (White)
Summary
The white colorway of Peterson's 2016 self-released screen print, hand pulled in black, gold and white on 290gsm Coventry Rag paper with deckled edges at 18 by 24 inches. The edition is limited to 125, with each sheet signed and numbered by the artist. The three-color pull adds a metallic register uncommon in his flatter duotone work.
Why It Matters
Self-released editions place Peterson in direct control of production and distribution, and the three-color format here, black plus gold plus white, is a more ambitious pull than his standard two-color sheets. The confrontational title anchors the work firmly in his examination of collective brutality rather than individual conflict.
Collector Perspective
At 125, this is a tighter run than his gallery-published larger formats. The gold layer introduces reflectivity that photographs poorly but reads strongly in person, a quality collectors prize. As a self-released title, provenance runs through the artist directly; signature and numbering are the primary authentication anchors.
Historical Context
The Genocide belongs to Peterson's mid-decade body of work in which nameless figures enact violence in flat, heraldic compositions descended from Greek vase painting and mid-century graphics. The unflinching title reflects his refusal to aestheticize away the subject, using formal beauty and brutal content in deliberate tension.
FAQ
How does this differ from the other colorway?
This is the white edition; the composition is pulled in black, gold and white, distinguishing it from darker-ground versions of the image.
Who published it?
It is self-released by Cleon Peterson, produced and distributed by the artist directly.
How many colors were printed?
Three: black, gold and white, hand pulled by screen.
What is the edition size?
125 signed and numbered impressions.
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.