Artwork Description
Burning The Dead Red Silkscreen Print by Cleon Peterson Hand-Pulled on 290gsm Coventry Rag Fine Art Paper Limited Edition Artwork.
2016 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 150 Artwork Size 43.5x17 Hand Deckled Silkscreen Print
Cleon Peterson Burning The Dead Red 2016 Silkscreen Print
Cleon Peterson, born in the United States in 1973, is recognized for his stark and confrontational contributions to contemporary Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. Burning The Dead Red, released in 2016, exemplifies his signature visual language built on themes of power, violence, domination, and societal conflict. This hand-pulled silkscreen print measures approximately 43.5 x 17 inches and is produced on 290gsm Coventry Rag fine art paper with hand deckled edges, reinforcing its status as a refined limited edition artwork. The edition was limited to 150 and each print is signed and numbered by the artist. Peterson’s disciplined use of minimal color palettes and flattened silhouettes has established him as a distinct voice within Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, merging classical frieze composition with modern graphic brutality.
Violence, Power, and Silhouette Composition in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Burning The Dead Red presents a continuous horizontal scene of black silhouetted figures engaged in ritualistic violence against a central fallen form. Weapons are raised, bodies contort in aggression, and limbs overlap in a tightly choreographed sequence that reads almost like an ancient battle relief translated into modern graphic form. The intense red and white background creates a turbulent visual field, amplifying the psychological weight of the composition. Peterson’s figures are intentionally anonymous, stripped of facial detail and reduced to archetypal agents of dominance and submission. This stylistic reduction aligns with core strategies in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, where bold contrast and simplified forms communicate complex social commentary with immediate impact. The work confronts viewers directly, forcing engagement with themes of brutality and systemic violence rather than offering decorative appeal.
Cleon Peterson’s Contemporary Impact on Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Cleon Peterson’s work frequently explores the cyclical nature of power struggles and human conflict, positioning his compositions within a broader dialogue about authority, control, and collapse. Burning The Dead Red demonstrates how limited color fields and strong negative space can intensify narrative clarity while maintaining aesthetic restraint. The hand deckled edges and high-quality Coventry Rag paper elevate the piece within fine art printmaking standards, reinforcing the growing institutional recognition of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. As a limited edition of 150, the print reflects the controlled scarcity model common to contemporary urban art markets, ensuring both collectibility and archival presence. Through its uncompromising imagery and disciplined production, this 2016 silkscreen stands as a powerful example of Peterson’s role in expanding the thematic boundaries of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork.
