Artwork Description
Money and Power- Yellow 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 – Yellow Edition Silkscreen Print in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Money and Power by Cleon Peterson is a visually forceful hand-pulled 1-color silkscreen print produced in a striking yellow edition. Created in 2022 as a signed and numbered limited edition of only 75, this 18x18 inch artwork is printed on 290gsm Arches rag paper with hand-deckled edges, reinforcing its raw and crafted authenticity. Set against a saturated yellow background, the black silhouettes of uniformed figures march in unison beneath a banner marked with a dollar sign. This aggressive formation of faceless, weapon-bearing agents symbolizes how capital and authority have become intertwined forces shaping modern life. The contrast of black on yellow sharpens the urgency of the message, evoking caution signs and industrial warnings, reflecting the dangers of unchecked power. It is a bold statement, stark and deliberately unambiguous in its critique of political and economic systems.
Cleon Peterson’s Visual Protest Against Gangster Capitalism
American artist Cleon Peterson, born in 1973, has become known for creating art that exposes the mechanics of dominance, submission, and systemic violence. In Money and Power, Peterson addresses what he terms gangster capitalism—the merging of financial interest and authoritarianism. This yellow edition is not merely an aesthetic variation; it magnifies the intensity of the warning. The figures are rendered without individuality, acting not as civil servants or protectors but as enforcers of a corrupt economic order. Each character, with one hand saluting and the other gripping a firearm, marches without deviation under a banner where money is the emblem. Peterson’s use of militarized repetition critiques the dehumanization that occurs when loyalty is bought and dissent is extinguished by force. The visual simplicity masks a deeply complex message: society has drifted from democratic ideals into a structure where the value of life is weighed against the price of power.
Symbolism and Execution in the Yellow Silkscreen Edition
This edition’s choice of yellow background plays a crucial role in reinforcing the thematic content. Yellow, typically associated with visibility and warning, brings a harsh clarity to the disturbing unity of the figures. It forces the viewer to confront the image directly, without distraction or ambiguity. The hand-pulled technique and 1-color silkscreen process ensure that each print carries the physical presence of the artist’s vision, resisting digital detachment. Hand-deckled paper adds an organic imperfection that contrasts with the mechanical rigidity of the marchers, underscoring the tension between individual craftsmanship and institutional conformity. The entire composition operates as a visual manifesto, presenting a world where money is not simply a tool but a banner under which violence, obedience, and corruption are normalized.
Money and Power as a Defining Work in Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork
Money and Power belongs squarely in the tradition of Street Pop Art & Graffiti Artwork. It communicates political urgency through direct visual language, staying rooted in the protest origins of graffiti and the bold iconography of pop art. Peterson’s work challenges systems of authority by confronting viewers with uncomfortable truths, using art not for decoration but for disruption. This yellow edition distills contemporary disillusionment into one unforgettable image, showing how democracy erodes when capital becomes the highest power. As with all of Peterson’s most impactful works, it does not ask for quiet reflection—it demands awareness and accountability. It stands as a limited yet forceful artifact of protest, frozen in print but echoing across modern political consciousness.
