Tom Paine Comes Home: Print of Potent Political Thinker Arrives for Anniversary Celebration

Limited edition print available at Lewes gallery Gorgeous Things Ltd

July 03, 2009 - Press Dispensary - A Tom Paine print in the style of the Sex Pistols ‘God Save The Queen’ image is arriving in Lewes to mark the bicentenary of the British-born writer, revolutionary and unsung Founding Father of America. The bold, graphic print has been designed and printed in Lewes for the Tom Paine Festival, kicking off in the town today (3 July, 2009). Limited editions of the piece will be available from Gorgeous Things Ltd, an online gallery selling rare and exclusive artwork and prints, and its Lewes shop, Kings Framers.

Paine penned the powerful, widely read pamphlet Common Sense, which influenced the American Revolution, The Rights of Man, which influenced the French, and The Age of Reason, which argued against organised religion. And his ideas, which contributed to the shaping of the modern world, have never been so relevant: Paine's words formed a central plank of President Obama’s inauguration speech.

The Tom Paine print aims to reflect this legacy. Designed by Chris Smedley, of the Lewes Pound design team, the print reworks a classic portrait of Paine, introducing a crude punk sensibility to subvert and challenge the conventional image.

Joshua Stenning, manager of Gorgeous Things Ltd, explains: “Paine famously said, “these are the times that try men's souls”, but he also declared “we have it in our power to begin the world over again.” The Tom Paine print illustrates the idea that it is in the power of all people to challenge existing systems and rebuild lifestyles in a radical way – especially relevant in these recession-ridden times.”

The print is a hand-pulled silkscreen, printed on 310gsm, 100% cotton rag Fabriano paper, available in three colours - flouro green, flouro yellow and pink or greyscale. The image of Tom Paine is reproduced with kind permission of Kenneth Burchell, of the Tom Paine Society, and was also used on the first Lewes Pound notes.

Priced at £100, 20% of print sales will go to support the Lewes Pound initiative, part of the ‘transition town’ movement, a countrywide network of projects encouraging sustainable communities. Lewes launched its own currency, the Lewes pound, last year in a bid to boost local spending on the local economy. New denominations of the Lewes pound, in £5, £10 and £21 notes, are also being launched today.

The town has planned a series of events to celebrate the bicentenary of the death of its influential borrowed son, who lived in Lewes for six formative years from 1768. Paine was active in local affairs, serving on the town council and establishing a debating club at a local tavern. The festival will include lectures, debates, a new mummer's play, performed in the streets of the town, and a Fourth of July ball.

The Tom Paine print joins an illustrious assembly of almost 1,000 artworks and prints within the Gorgeous Things Ltd presentation, ranging from the Pink Floyd album covers of Storm Thorgerson and the abstracts of Sir Terry Frost, to iconic twentieth century British artists including Eric Ravilious, Edward Bawden and Bloomsbury artist Vanessa Bell.

The entire collection can be viewed online at http://www.gorgeousthingsltd.com or by visiting its high street gallery, Kings Framers, at 57 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex, BN7 1XE. The Tom Paine print is also available from http://www.lewespound.org .

For further information, please contact Gorgeous Things Ltd on 01273 474100 or Kings Framers on 01273 481020.

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Notes for editors
Gorgeous Things Ltd is an online gallery selling rare and exclusive limited edition artwork and prints. Its roots are in picture framing, with fifteen years spent working alongside artists and collectors to provide the best possible presentation for their artwork. Its shop, Kings Framers, is based at 57 High Street, Lewes, East Sussex.

The company’s expertise is in advising on all aspects of the field, from the practicalities of hanging pictures on walls to investing in the right artist at the right time, drawn from experience gained in selling prints and originals from its Lewes, East Sussex gallery.

Gorgeous Things Ltd is run by three people: consultant Peta King, framer Stephen King and manager Joshua Stenning.

Consultations and framing are available on request.

About Chris Smedley
Chris Smedley lived in Brighton for 18 years and previously studied illustration at Brighton Polytechnic. Chris moved to Lewes eight years ago and is now a director of a local digital media company and is actively involved with the Lewes pound and transition town Lewes.

For further information, please contact:
Joshua Stenning, manager, Gorgeous Things Ltd / Kings Framers
Tel: 01273 474 100
Email:
Site: www.gorgeousthingsltd.com