Artwork Description
Money and Power- White Hand-Pulled 1-Color Silkscreen Print on Hand Deckled 290gsm Arches Rag Paper by Artist Cleon Peterson Limited Edition Art Artwork.
2022 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 75 Artwork Size 18x18
"Money and Power have become primary drivers in the modern world, pushing us toward a corrupt society. The days when our leaders looked out for the people's interests have become a thing of the past—replaced by the strong man who squashes the voices of dissent to set things straight. Money elects leaders; in return, they owe a debt to the people that put them in Power—enacting our new public policy of greed and gangster capitalism. We slowly accept corruption, Law slowly fades away, and people begin to feel like democracy and a fair and equitable society were always just an illusion, a dream from the past that never really even existed." -Cleon Peterson
Money and Power by Cleon Peterson – White Edition of a Stark Political Allegory in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Money and Power by Cleon Peterson is a 2022 signed and numbered hand-pulled silkscreen print, produced in a limited edition of 75. Measuring 18x18 inches and printed in black ink on pristine white 290gsm Arches rag paper with hand-deckled edges, this piece delivers a powerful statement using minimalism to reveal the mechanics of authoritarian control and capitalist dominance. The design features three militarized figures marching in unison beneath a dollar-sign emblazoned banner. Each figure salutes with one hand while gripping a weapon in the other, marching in lockstep toward a future defined not by democracy or justice, but by obedience to power shaped through wealth. The precision of the stark black-on-white imagery reinforces the rigidity and dehumanization portrayed, highlighting the shift from collective governance to capitalist-driven authoritarianism.
Cleon Peterson’s American Vision of Modern Power Structures
Cleon Peterson, an American artist born in 1973, is renowned for his distinctive graphic style that merges the brutal directness of street art with a pop art sensibility. His works are not decorative—they are confrontational, morally urgent, and reflective of systemic violence. Money and Power exemplifies Peterson’s ability to distill complex socio-political realities into singular, unforgettable images. This white edition removes any distraction and allows the viewer to focus entirely on the content and message. The absence of color echoes the perceived erasure of nuance in modern governance, where decisions are no longer dictated by ethical considerations but by financial allegiance. Peterson uses his background in design and graffiti to strip down the message to its essence—those who control money control the message, the law, and the people.
Symbolism of Marching Figures and the Banner of Capital
The figures in Money and Power are reduced to symbols of conformity and control. With robotic movements and identical expressions, they act not as protectors of the public, but as agents of a system that prioritizes wealth preservation over civic duty. The gun in each hand is not just a weapon—it is a metaphor for the threat that sustains the hierarchy. The saluting gesture, typically a sign of honor or loyalty, is here rendered as a chilling submission to corrupt ideology. Above them, the banner with a dollar sign takes the place of national or moral symbols, declaring money as the new flag under which modern societies march. This image captures what Peterson describes as gangster capitalism—an economy and government fused into a singular corrupt force that erodes public agency and the very foundation of democracy.
Money and Power as a Landmark of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
This edition of Money and Power exists as both a work of fine art and a political poster, calling attention to the social decay born of greed and power consolidation. It stands firmly within the tradition of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork, using accessible imagery to convey truths that are often ignored or downplayed in institutional settings. Peterson’s decision to limit the edition to 75 hand-pulled prints adds gravity to its message, making each piece a personal call to awareness and resistance. As street art evolved from rebellion to collectible, artists like Peterson have held firm to the medium’s roots—using public-facing visuals to voice dissent. This piece does not seek to comfort or beautify, but to warn. It captures a world where money no longer funds democracy but replaces it, revealing a cycle where power begets power and the people are simply marched along.
