Value judgements

Dear reader,

Should cheap craft be a cause for concern? Soane Britain founder Lulu Lytle certainly believes so. Soane’s ‘gold wallpaper’ hit headlines last summer when then-prime minister Boris Johnson used taxpayer money to refurbish his flat in lavish style. Reflecting more widely, Lulu has penned us a piece (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) on pricetags, asking: ‘At what expense does a huge reduction in cost come? Is the craftsperson being paid fairly?’

On the subject of craft careers – there’s no doubt that fairs play an important part in helping to make them viable. And where better to enjoy a spot of (window) shopping than Collect art fair, which returns to Somerset House from 3-5 March. We’re glad to be offering our Gold members a very special ticket offer (Öffnet in neuem Fenster) – see below for details.

Finally, for those who missed our sold-out symposium Stories of Cotton: now’s your chance to catch up. ‘From the Caribbean to Cottonopolis (Öffnet in neuem Fenster)’, the first of its four events, is now available to watch on demand – with the rest due to come soon.

– Isabella Smith, deputy editor

Book 2-for-1 tickets to Collect