Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Hole
Summary
The Hole is a 2010 offset lithograph created for POSTERMAT, a holiday poster exhibition mounted by The Hole NYC in collaboration with LEVI'S at 104 Greene Street. Issued in an edition of 50 at 36 x 24 inches, it was one of two hundred limited artist posters offered first-come, first-serve to gallery visitors.
Why It Matters
The Hole ties Peterson to a landmark downtown New York gallery moment, POSTERMAT gathered artists from across a global underground scene into a single accessible show. As an offset lithograph rather than a hand-pulled screen print, it represents the more democratic, poster-format side of Peterson's early output.
Collector Perspective
The tiny edition of 50 and the first-come distribution model mean surviving impressions in clean condition are uncommon. Poster-format offset works are often handled casually, so condition is a key differentiator here. Provenance tied to The Hole's POSTERMAT show adds a documented exhibition history collectors prize.
Historical Context
POSTERMAT reflected a 2010 moment when galleries courted younger audiences with affordable, artist-driven poster editions. The Hole NYC, known for championing emergent and street-adjacent artists, provided Peterson an early institutional platform in New York, extending his reach beyond the Los Angeles print scene.
FAQ
What was POSTERMAT?
A holiday poster exhibition by The Hole NYC and LEVI'S at 104 Greene Street, featuring two hundred new limited-edition artist posters.
What is the medium and edition?
An offset lithograph in an edition of 50, sized 36 x 24 inches.
How were the posters originally sold?
First-come, first-serve at the opening, then online the following morning.
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.