JAMES CAUTY and the CNPD present STAMPS of Mass Destruction - Selected Stampage and New Works

Starting July 27th 2006. Microzine Gallery in Bold St, Liverpool presents an exhibition of work by the controversial artist James Cauty (CNPD, ex KLF, Justified Ancients of Mu Mu etc.).

Having fallen in love with Microzine’s beautiful art deco building, Cauty is keen to exhibit in his hometown and will be producing some exclusive pieces for the space. The exhibition will also include selected rare stampage, new and recent issues, and a new range of exclusive one off pieces for the more discerning collector.

Since the inception of the CNPD (Cautese Nationál Postal Disservice) in October 2005 James Cauty has been working closely with the Aquarium Gallery in London to bring the world the finest in iconic, iconoclastic and topical stampage. This stampage takes the form of real stamps, first day covers and limited edition prints.

Through a series of cunning marketing ploys including rigged pricing, small and cheap editions, and the deletions of popular images, a highly collectable art form has been established for serious collectors.

Microzine MD, Chris Lee, has been a fan of Cauty since the beginning of the CNPD. “I purchased a few of limited edition prints and displayed them in Microzine London, but eventually they had to come down because Royal Mail threatened to sue me for breach of copyright.”

Royal Mail have since accepted the copyright issue, perhaps coming round to Cauty’s way of thinking; “Artists steal or borrow things from other artists and shops all the time its part of the evolution of ideas and normal practice. Copyright was invented by two Belgian lawyers in 1827 as a way of making some extra cash and is now an outdated concept. ”