*APC ART is pleased to present “Scales of Injustice,” a powerful collaborative print by two of the most influential voices in contemporary art — Cleon Peterson and Shepard Fairey. Published in 2016, the work measures 25.4 × 33 cm (10 × 13 inches) and is executed as a letterpress print on 100% cotton archival paper with hand-deckled edges. The work is hand signed by both artists in graphite pencil and bears the artists’ blind stamp. This example is particularly special as it is marked “AP” (Artist Proof) lower left, placing it outside of the standard edition of 300.*

*Artist proofs from this collaboration are exceptionally scarce and highly sought after by collectors, as they represent works retained by the artists themselves outside of the numbered edition.*

*Visually, “Scales of Injustice” is an unmistakable fusion of the graphic power and symbolic language that have made both artists internationally celebrated figures in contemporary art. The composition presents a stark and confrontational allegory of power structures — a central winged emblem crowned by the scales of justice, juxtaposing symbols of wealth, violence, and mortality. Below, silhouetted figures march in formation carrying weapons, forming a haunting visual metaphor for systemic authority and the cyclical nature of power.*

*The words “Power” and “Glory” frame the upper composition, while the title’s symbolic centerpiece — the scales — suggests a deeply critical reflection on imbalance within systems of justice and governance.*

*One of the most remarkable aspects of this work is the letterpress printing process. Unlike most contemporary prints, which are produced through flat digital or screen printing methods, letterpress printing involves physically pressing the image into thick cotton paper using a metal plate and substantial mechanical pressure. This process creates a deeply embossed impression in the surface of the paper. As a result, the image has extraordinary texture and dimensionality that can be both seen and felt. The raised and recessed areas catch light in a way that gives the work a sculptural quality — much closer to the tactile presence of a painting or relief than a traditional flat print. This demanding process is rarely used today due to its complexity and cost, making works produced in this way particularly desirable among collectors.*

*Cleon Peterson’s unmistakable visual language dominates the narrative force of the image. Peterson is internationally known for his stark black-and-white compositions depicting scenes of conflict, control, and power struggles. His work explores themes of violence, authority, and societal tension, rendered in a graphic style reminiscent of ancient friezes and propaganda imagery. Peterson’s paintings and editions have been exhibited globally and are collected by prominent collectors across the United States, Europe, and Asia.*

*Shepard Fairey stands as one of the most important and influential artists to emerge from the street art movement. Best known for the globally iconic “OBEY” campaign and the historic “HOPE” poster created for Barack Obama’s 2008 presidential campaign, Fairey’s work has shaped the visual language of contemporary political art for more than three decades. His work resides in the collections of major institutions including the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Museum of Modern Art, and the Victoria & Albert Museum.*

*The collaboration between Peterson and Fairey represents a rare meeting of two artists whose practices share a deep engagement with power structures, propaganda aesthetics, and political symbolism.*

*“Scales of Injustice” stands as a prime example of this intersection. Peterson’s brutal allegorical imagery merges seamlessly with Fairey’s iconic graphic design sensibility, creating a composition that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary.*

*Examples from the numbered edition are already difficult to obtain. Artist proofs from outside the edition are significantly rarer, making this an especially desirable example for collectors seeking important collaborative works between two major contemporary artists.*

*This work has been stored flat to archival standards for the past ten years and remains in excellent condition.*

*The work is in hand in the United States and will ship immediately.*

*An exceptional opportunity to acquire a rare artist proof from one of the most compelling collaborations in contemporary printmaking.*

*Offered by APC ART.*

*MIA. ATL. NYC. LA. PARIS. LONDON. TOKYO*

Provenance

Private collection; Atlanta, Georgia. USA. 
Gifted to APC by one of the artists circa 2016. 

Included with the work will be a certificate of authenticity from APC ART (with the gallery’s blind stamp), guaranteeing authenticity in perpetuity. 

Condition

The work is in mint condition. We have stored the work flat to archival standard(s) since 2016