Gauntlet Gallery — Ron English Print Index
Diabetic Bear
Summary
Diabetic Bear belongs to Ron English's 2011 Cereal Killer suite, recasting a honey-loving cartoon bear mascot as a blunt warning about sugar and metabolic disease. The work is an archival pigment giclee on Hahnemuhle German Etching 310gsm paper, 15.25 x 10 inches, from a signed and numbered edition of 50.
Why It Matters
Few titles in the series name their target as directly as Diabetic Bear. English takes a wholesome breakfast mascot and attaches the health consequence to it, collapsing the gap between cheerful advertising and its downstream effect. It is the Cereal Killer critique at its most explicit.
Collector Perspective
The edition of 50 makes Diabetic Bear scarce, and its unusually pointed title gives it standout appeal within the set. Collectors typically pursue it as part of the complete six-print group. The Hahnemuhle stock and hand signature aid preservation; verify the pencil number and first-edition provenance.
Historical Context
Diabetic Bear channels the friendly-bear archetype long used to market honey-sweetened cereal. Released in 2011, it speaks to a period of rising alarm over childhood diabetes and food-marketing ethics, continuing the culture-jamming practice English pioneered on billboards decades earlier.
FAQ
Which mascot inspired Diabetic Bear?
It reinterprets a honey-loving cartoon bear cereal mascot, tying the cheerful character to the health cost of excess sugar.
What is the edition size?
Fifty signed and numbered prints make up the first edition.
How is it printed?
As an archival pigment giclee on Hahnemuhle German Etching 310gsm paper at 15.25 x 10 inches.
Is it sold individually or as a set?
It is available singly but was conceived as one of six Cereal Killer prints and is often collected as a complete group.
About the Artist
Ron English is an American contemporary artist born in 1959, widely regarded as a founding figure of the "POPaganda" movement, which fuses pop art with political and cultural satire. He is known for subverting corporate advertising and cultural icons, creating characters such as MC Supersized and the three-eyed "Temper Tot," and reimagining figures like Ronald McDonald and cartoon mascots. English has worked across billboards, canvas, murals, and collectible art toys, and his imagery has appeared in films and album covers. His work critiques consumerism, mass media, and branding through a bright, hyper-pop visual language.
Collecting Ron English at Gauntlet Gallery
Where should I begin with Ron English?
Signed, numbered screenprints and giclees featuring his signature characters are strong entry points, while hand-embellished editions and originals sit at the top. His art toys and figures also draw dedicated collectors. Gauntlet Gallery prioritizes clean, well-registered impressions with complete signing.
How is authenticity documented?
Ron English works are sold with documented studio provenance and the artist's signature and numbering. We photograph the exact piece you receive, including the signature and edition details, so you can confirm authenticity before purchase.
What drives Ron English's value?
Iconic characters, edition size, hand-embellishment, condition, and documented provenance are the main value drivers. Low-numbered, embellished, and original works consistently outperform open or larger editions.