Gauntlet Gallery — Complete Cleon Peterson Print Index
The Weak And The Powerful (First Edition)
Summary
The Weak And The Powerful (First Edition) is a 2019 single-color silkscreen on Hahnemühle 300gsm, 76 x 76 cm. Unlike Peterson's self-released prints, it was published by Pilevneli Gallery in an edition of 75 plus 9 artist's proofs, each signed and numbered. The debut price was listed at $400 plus VAT.
Why It Matters
This is the only gallery-published work in this group, issued through Istanbul's Pilevneli Gallery rather than self-released, which gives it distinct institutional provenance. Its title distills Peterson's core thesis, the eternal contest between the vulnerable and the dominant, making it a thematically foundational statement in his catalog.
Collector Perspective
The Pilevneli publication and documented edition of 75 plus 9 AP add provenance strength that self-released prints lack. The metric 76 x 76 cm square format and Hahnemühle stock reflect European fine-art print standards. Collectors should confirm the gallery attribution, signature, and numbering; artist's proofs carry their own AP notation.
Historical Context
Published in 2019 by Pilevneli Gallery, this print reflects Peterson's international exhibition footprint beyond the U.S. self-release market. Working with an established gallery on premium Hahnemühle paper situates the work within his more formal editions, and the title crystallizes the power dynamics that drive his entire practice.
FAQ
Who published this print?
Pilevneli Gallery in Istanbul, making it a gallery-published edition rather than one of Peterson's self-released works.
What is the full edition?
An edition of 75 plus 9 artist's proofs, each signed and numbered.
What paper and size?
Single-color silkscreen on Hahnemühle 300gsm, 76 x 76 cm.
How does its provenance differ from other Peterson prints?
Its gallery publication gives it institutional provenance, distinct from the self-released prints Peterson distributed 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.