Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Spider & The Fly (Red & Black)
Summary
"The Spider & The Fly (Red & Black)" is a 2020 hand-pulled screen print by Cleon Peterson, self-released in a signed, numbered edition of 100 at 18 x 24 inches on 290gsm Arches Rag. Its red-and-black palette and predator-prey title frame a stark moral question about power, exploitation, and the kind of world we choose to inhabit.
Why It Matters
The spider-and-fly allegory crystallizes Peterson's central binary: care and respect versus exploitation and winning at any cost. The red-and-black scheme raises the emotional temperature, reading as bloodshed and warning. It matters as one of his most legibly allegorical 2020 works, tying image directly to a stated moral crossroads.
Collector Perspective
The red-and-black colorway gives this print visceral impact, distinguishing it from Peterson's yellow and pure monochrome works. At 18 x 24 inches in an edition of 100 on premium Arches Rag, it is an accessible, high-contrast piece that pairs strongly with other election-year releases from the artist.
Historical Context
Released in 2020, the print accompanies Peterson's statement about a nation at a crossroads, its fundamental values in crisis. He frames a choice between caring for one another and exploiting the world for power, casting the preceding years as a summoning of the nation's worst attributes. It is a pointed artifact of that political reckoning.
FAQ
What does the spider and fly symbolize?
The predator-prey image dramatizes Peterson's moral binary: exploitation and domination versus care and respect.
What colors and paper?
Red and black, hand-pulled on 290gsm Arches Rag paper with deckled edges.
What size and edition?
18 x 24 inches, a signed and numbered limited edition of 100, self-released by the artist.
What year was it released?
2020, alongside an artist statement about the nation standing at a values crossroads.
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.