Los Angeles-based Cleon Peterson’s work showcases the savagery of humanity with stark black and white paintings featuring muscular characters engaged in brutal combat and subjugation of others. Peterson’s upcoming The Return bronze sculpture by Avant Arte brings his sobering focus to a classic archetype — a warrior riding triumphantly on a majestic horse.
“Images and ideas like this act as a romantic fantasy promising to return people to an idealised past. In my work I highlight these connections – showing how destructive they can be.” – Cleon Peterson
The piece features one of Peterson’s instantly recognizable warriors mounted on a horse, sword held above his small head as he stares sideways at the viewer. For those familiar with the artist’s work, the character ties the sculpture to the violent scrum and carnage of his frenzied paintings. The new bronze offers a reality check to the sanitized, glamourized images of traditional war. Peterson’s previous sculptures include his World on Fire resin edition inspired by the tale of Atlas.
The The Return bronze sculpture will be offered in two editions. An edition of ten, the larger format piece stands nearly 21″ tall (20.9″ H x 25.6″ W x 8.3″ D) and will be available for $16,417. The second edition of 25 stands almost 12″ tall (11.8″ H x 13.8″ W x 4.3″ D) and will be available for $6,569. Both editions will be available from Avant Arte on Monday, June 20, 2022 at 5 AM PDT.
