Cleon Peterson

The Devil Made Me Do It Hand-Pulled 2-Color Silkscreen Print on Hand Deckled 290gsm Coventry Rag Paper by Artist Cleon Peterson Limited Edition Pop Art Artwork. 2022 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 300 Artwork Size 18x24 "The TRUTH image ran in the New York Times right before the election in the opinion feature, What Have We Lost. The Devil Made Me Do It & Divided We Stand, United We Fall were both made on January 6th in response to the Faustian bargain that Trump and his accomplices made in designing the coup. Today, we find ourselves at a crossroads; now, more than ever, we must come together, take a stand, exercise our voices, and fight for Truth and Democracy. Hopefully, daylight will cast off this right-wing authoritarian spell. I see these posters as markers of a historical time and feel a duty within to share my views. We're all exhausted by politics, but we must embrace the moment and take action because the threat is fundamental; our democracy could be gone in the blink of an eye." - Cleon Peterson. Cleon Peterson's Stark Commentary in "The Devil Made Me Do It" In the stark dichotomy of black and red, Cleon Peterson's "The Devil Made Me Do It" delivers a powerful visual commentary on the socio-political climate surrounding the events of January 6th, marked by the infamous U.S. Capitol riots. This hand-pulled 2-color silkscreen print on hand-deckled 290gsm Coventry Rag Paper emerges as a piece of street pop art and a historical marker, capturing a moment of intense national upheaval. Art as a Reflection of Societal Turmoil Peterson's artwork, a limited edition of 300 signed and numbered pieces, transcends the traditional boundaries of pop art. It embodies the artist's response to a fraught political landscape, reacting to the tumultuous events that shook the foundations of American democracy. The imagery of a man seemingly dancing while overshadowed by demonic figures speaks to the "Faustian bargain," suggesting a dance with the devil that echoes the betrayals and manipulations of political figures and the public seduced by their rhetoric. The title, "The Devil Made Me Do It," offers an ironic twist on the age-old excuse for succumbing to temptations and making morally questionable choices. Peterson's choice to release these works as a direct response to political events positions the artwork within a tradition of artists who use their craft to document and critique the times they live in. The visual language used in this piece is reminiscent of street art's often aggressive and provocative style, meant to engage the public in public spaces. The Role of Street Pop Art in Political Discourse Cleon Peterson's work exemplifies the role of street pop art in political discourse. Street art has always had a voice in the political arena, often serving as a raw expression of the people, unfiltered and unmediated. Through his work, Peterson extends this tradition by creating a piece that is both a reaction to and reflection of the political unrest that has characterized recent times. With its bold, unapologetic lines and vibrant colors, silkscreen printing makes "The Devil Made Me Do It" a commanding presence. It is a testament to the artist's ability to distill complex political and social emotions into a single, impactful image. In the tradition of street pop art, which often involves taking art out of the galleries and into the streets, Peterson's piece is designed to resonate with a broad audience, its message clear and accessible to all who encounter it. "The Devil Made Me Do It" is more than just a piece of pop art; it is a visual essay on the state of contemporary politics, a call to action, and a reminder of the power of art to reflect and affect change. It is a bold statement within the discourse of street pop art and graffiti artwork, capturing a moment when the world watched as democracy appeared to hang in the balance. Cleon Peterson's voice, through his art, adds to the chorus of those who advocate for truth and democracy, and his work remains a powerful example of how art can engage with and influence the political landscape.

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Divided We Stand, United We Fall Hand-Pulled 2-Color Silkscreen Print on Hand Deckled 290gsm Coventry Rag Paper by Artist Cleon Peterson Limited Edition Pop Art Artwork. 2022 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of XXX Artwork Size 18x24 "The TRUTH image ran in the New York Times right before the election in the opinion feature, What Have We Lost. The Devil Made Me Do it & Divided We Stand, United We Fall were both made on January 6th in response to the Faustian bargain that Trump and his accomplices made in designing the coup. Today we find ourselves at a crossroads; now, more than ever, is the time we need to come together, take a stand, exercise our voices, and fight for Truth and Democracy. Hopefully, daylight will cast off this right-wing authoritarian spell. I see these posters as markers of a historical time and feel a duty within to share my views. We’re all exhausted by politics, but we must embrace the moment and take action because the threat is fundamental; our democracy could be gone in the blink of an eye." - Cleon Peterson The connection of Peterson with street art is also an aspect of his work worth mentioning. Even though he has created numerous murals all over the world, the artist himself does consider himself a street artist: “I don’t think of myself as a street artist or somebody that does work in that vein, but I love the idea of doing large paintings that confront people.”. This is revealing of his motivation to make his art as accessible as possible, as a way to invite the viewers to interact with it and confront the subjects the artist is interested in addressing. This brings up the following questions concerning the art of Peterson: “What is the meaning of it? Does it have a meaning after all? If yes, is this pre-determined by the artist? In order to better understand the way meaning is created in the world of Cleon Peterson, it is essential to, primarily, understand the way he perceives the media as a field of allegations, unbased rumors, suppositions and outright lies. In the world that the artist has created and, in correlation with our own reality, media is a tool of manipulation in the hands of politicians, leaving us helpless and in the mercy of an exploitative authoritarian system.

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TRUTH- What Have We Lost Hand-Pulled 2-Color Silkscreen Print on Deckled 290gsm Coventry Rag Paper by Artist Cleon Peterson Limited Edition Pop Art Artwork. 2022 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of XXX Artwork Size 18x24 "The TRUTH image ran in the New York Times right before the election in the opinion feature, What Have We Lost. The Devil Made Me Do it & Divided We Stand, United We Fall were both made on January 6th in response to the Faustian bargain that Trump and his accomplices made in designing the coup. Today we find ourselves at a crossroads; now, more than ever, is the time we need to come together, take a stand, exercise our voices, and fight for Truth and Democracy. Hopefully, daylight will cast off this right-wing authoritarian spell. I see these posters as markers of a historical time and feel a duty within to share my views. We’re all exhausted by politics, but we must embrace the moment and take action because the threat is fundamental; our democracy could be gone in the blink of an eye." - Cleon Peterson The connection of Peterson with street art is also an aspect of his work worth mentioning. Even though he has created numerous murals all over the world, the artist himself does consider himself a street artist: “I don’t think of myself as a street artist or somebody that does work in that vein, but I love the idea of doing large paintings that confront people.”. This is revealing of his motivation to make his art as accessible as possible, as a way to invite the viewers to interact with it and confront the subjects the artist is interested in addressing. This brings up the following questions concerning the art of Peterson: “What is the meaning of it? Does it have a meaning after all? If yes, is this pre-determined by the artist? In order to better understand the way meaning is created in the world of Cleon Peterson, it is essential to, primarily, understand the way he perceives the media as a field of allegations, unbased rumors, suppositions and outright lies. In the world that the artist has created and, in correlation with our own reality, media is a tool of manipulation in the hands of politicians, leaving us helpless and in the mercy of an exploitative authoritarian system.

Read more less