BOOKS
Cleon Peterson “Blood and Soil”

The artist Cleon Peterson

The American painter and graphic artist Cleon Peterson is known for his powerful and provocative works. His book “Blood and Soil” takes an intense look at power, violence and social conflict. Peterson describes how his work came about after the political events of the 2016 US elections. Donald Trump’s election and the social tensions acted as a catalyst for him. He observed how the world was moving towards fascism. Violent clashes between right-wing extremists and anti-fascists as well as events in Turkey, Russia and Venezuela confirmed his perceptions. These influences flowed into his depiction of uniformed figures in aggressive confrontations, reflecting the increasing division and anger in society.

Images of power and violence

Peterson’s work is characterised by an intensive examination of the topic of violence and its effects on social power structures. Various aspects of power such as freedom, corruption, homeland and oppression are thematised in his “Monument to Power” series. The works are painted in the contrasting colours of red, white and black, which inevitably bring to mind the aesthetics of National Socialism. This colour combination underlines the brutality and authoritarianism expressed in Peterson’s depictions of military and paramilitary figures. Through the abstraction of the figures and scenarios, he formulates a timeless and universal critique of the abuse of power and violence.

Redes sociales y propaganda

The role of social media and its influence on the political and social landscape is a central theme in Peterson’s work. He shows how platforms such as X and Facebook act as both instruments of resistance and manipulation. The Arab Spring, Occupy Wall Street and other movements were significantly supported by social media. At the same time, they have promoted a culture of disinformation and division. The rapid dissemination of information and images on social media contributes significantly to the normalisation of violence and the consolidation of enemy stereotypes. Peterson’s works are therefore a critical reflection of these digital dynamics that increasingly characterise our society.

An appeal to humanity

The dehumanisation of the individual through violence and authoritarianism is a recurring motif in Peterson’s art. Works such as ‘Feather by Feather’ and ‘The Pissers’ show brutal confrontations in which perpetrators and victims are equally dehumanised. His works show how people become anonymous figures in a cycle of violence and oppression through inhuman rhetoric and politics. These depictions warn of the real consequences of such ideologies, which deepen social divisions and undermine humanity. Cleon Peterson wants his art to spark a dialogue that leads to a more just and humane world by revealing society’s ugly truths

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Further information

Further information on the book “Blood and Soil“ (Advertising) can be found on Cleon Peterson’s website.

Compliance

The book was kindly made available to us by the publisher. The presentation and rating of HYPERMADE remains independent of this and is based solely on the content of the book.