Reclaiming the Primitive in Contemporary Art

Cleon Peterson's powerful Expression of Humanity's Dark Side ( ARTSEG 1)

If you've read some of my recent posts, you've surely realized that I'm back working in a restaurant. And as a line cook, I spend almost 12 hours a day there, so it's only natural that my whole life starts to revolve around it. One thing I really like about the place is: its punk, modernist, and cool vibe; kind of like a 2023 laid-back hipster. The decoration is unique with neon lights, hanging plants, and Japanese artwork on the shelves. But the masterpiece, funny as it may sound, is in the bathroom. A huge black and red Cleon Peterson scene of war and chaos. This wasn't the first time I had seen this artist. I remember always seeing his murals in the back frame of the Skateboard youtube show: The Berrics. Apparently, he is also appreciated by the young. It makes sense with his bold portraits of violent and raw yet realistic scenes that express chaos and the most dreadful realities of our time, still with an aesthetic cartoon style. The man behind this incredible art is Cleon Peterson, one of the most underrated artists of our decade. In every one of his paintings, a scene of our brute world is depicted with bold colors like red, white, black, and yellow. The aesthetic is bold and clear. It reminds me of ancient Greek murals but in a modern distorted fashion. Sometimes, dark, somber men are beating helpless people, while in others a reference to the masked powers that control the global economy, grin their terrible smile. When I see his art, I immediately feel the sentiment that he depicts, almost as if I could shout it in single words: Brutality! Greed! Domination! Desolation!

Cleon is the modern incarnation of a murals chronicler. Remember when we were just cavemen? We could only depict explicit feelings and sceneries of our life, untreated and blunt. With only one glimpse, we could feel the immensity of the shared story. But with time, we lost that beautiful form of expression, giving way to much more complex and developed forms of art that are also mesmerizing and marvelous. However, in a world where everything is so complex and stories are so abundant, simple and direct art becomes rare. We search for deep primitive feelings, connecting through ideas that are universally applicable. Note, for example, that none of Cleon's art depicts a specific type of population. They all look the same, sort of big, muscular, somber monkeys. Simple art for everyone, universal ideas that are sometimes better explained in one word than a thousand. Maybe there is also truth there. Maybe we are too caught up in technical and complex rabbit holes, and the answer might be just hidden in our primitive instincts, expressed in one simple common feeling.

I hope you also find Cleon Peterson's work as interesting as I do. They might seem like violent, dull paintings at first sight, but very interesting reflection and intention are hidden behind. Cleon is inspired by a variety of subjects and always manages to surprise us with a new added one. Check out his website in the link to see more of his art.

That is the end of this first art segment where I share with you a piece of art I find really valuable and underrated. See you in the next art segment!