Artwork Description
The Passions 2 Limited Edition 3-Color Hand-Pulled Silkscreen Print on 100% Cotton Rag Archival Paper by Cleon Peterson Graffiti Street Artist Modern Pop Art.
2009 Signed & Numbered Limited Edition of 90 Artwork Size 18x18 Cleon Peterson The Passions, 2009 BLK/MRKT Editions
The Passions 2 by Cleon Peterson
The Passions 2 is a 2009 hand-pulled silkscreen print by Cleon Peterson, produced as a three-color edition on 100% cotton rag archival paper. Measuring 18 x 18 inches, the work is signed and numbered in a limited edition of 90 and was released through BLK/MRKT Editions. Rendered in Peterson’s stark palette of black, red, and white, the composition depicts figures locked in violent motion, suspended in a chaotic scene that feels both theatrical and brutal.
Violence, Power, and Moral Collapse
This piece sits squarely within Peterson’s ongoing exploration of power dynamics, cruelty, and human conflict. The faceless or mask-like figures appear interchangeable, emphasizing systems of violence rather than individual identity. There is no clear hero or victim, only cycles of aggression and domination. The title, The Passions 2, evokes classical and religious connotations, yet Peterson subverts them, replacing transcendence with raw instinct and social breakdown. The forest-like backdrop adds an almost mythic setting, suggesting a return to primal behavior beneath the veneer of civilization.
Cleon Peterson’s Visual Language and Legacy
Cleon Peterson is widely recognized for his uncompromising visual language that draws from propaganda art, ancient friezes, and modern graphic design. His use of limited color and flat silhouettes creates immediate impact while reinforcing the emotional severity of the subject matter. Works like The Passions 2 helped establish Peterson’s reputation in the late 2000s as a leading figure in contemporary street and pop art, bridging gallery spaces and public walls. This print remains a strong example of his early editions, valued for both its rarity and its clear articulation of the themes that continue to define his practice.
