Artist Support Pledge and New Knitwear Accessories

In March 2020, as the UK was placed in lockdown as a response to Covid-19, and many people were no longer able to work in their usual way, artist Matthew Burrows created a simple but very clever way to support artists and makers by using Instagram. Social media platforms became a lifeline to many while we were unable to mix in person, and Burrows used this visual channel to create a huge virtual gallery space where artists could show their work, and people could easily view and purchase what they like.

#artistsupportpledge has an ingenious twist to make the whole thing a more generous economy - artists can only price their work to a maximum of £200 per piece, and every time an artist reaches £1,000 of sales, they pledge to buy £200 of work from another artist/s.

We loved this creative solution to a very real problem and we got involved, uploading some of our Fine Art Prints to the gallery. In return for the sales made, we purchased a painting by artist Bet Mishra in August last year and we have recently bought two pieces by Katie Mawson*. Katie is an artist working in the beautiful Lake District, making in a sustainable way by creating using the covers of discarded hard back books. See the two collages chosen by Harriet below.

Over the last 18-months, Artist Support Pledge has helped creatives all around the world and Mathew Burrows was awarded an MBE for his innovative idea and work. The ASP is still continuing so if you are an artist or maker who wishes to get involved, then head to the website, or if you would like to browse the catalogue then head straight to Instagram and start scrolling the hashtag #artistsupportpledge!

Excitingly, the virtual art gallery of Artist Support Pledge is now heading into a real-life space with an upcoming exhibition - A Generous Space - at Hastings Contemporary from 24 November. Burrows is taking submissions until the end of October so if you would like to be considered, head to the ASP website for more details.


* You may recognise Katie Mawson's name... she is also a talented knitwear designer, and we stock her fabulous hats and gloves as the perfect accompaniment to our scarves for the winter season. A very talented creator, Katie's new knitwear collection for us is online and in-store from today.

Hats from £62.50
Handwarmers £47.50
all 100% Lambswool

Our 2021 Scarf collection has been slightly delayed due to stock deliveries but we are hoping that we will be able to launch officially next week. Keep your fingers crossed and as always, newsletter subscribers will be the first to know.

Happy October!
with love from the Wallace Sewell team X