AN ARTIST who believes in a different way of doing economics is exhibiting work at the Upper Lock Café, Wallbridge, Stroud, until the end of May. Rachel Beckett is showing a series of colourful acrylic and mixed media works at one of her favourite Stroud chill-out spots. But the unusual feature about this exhibition is that the pictures don’t have prices. Instead, you are invited to ‘pay what you want’.

 

Rachel, also a writer and editor who works in higher education, admits she’s taking a risk. But she also believes trade is all about trust and building a sense of community.

 

‘When you put a price on something, it becomes a commodity, a mere object, and loses its creative power,’ she says. ‘You dictate to someone that they are in a business relationship. Yet art should be about what you love, and valuing it in your own way. If someone likes this work I’m happy to trust them to decide on what its value is to them.’

 

Rachel, who also has three drabbles (100-word stories) featured in the Stroud Short Story Anthology published last week, believes that life is about connecting up different aspects of your experience. Fittingly, she is also involved in a project to bring a holistic approach to education, encouraging the next generation to look at problems as being interconnected rather than viewed in isolation.

 

‘The more we consider relationships as unique, and look at values beyond money, the more we strengthen our economy and our society’, says Rachel. ‘I see this as part of the beginning of something really big - a revolution that will overturn the status quo of the Britart crowd whose cynical strategy is basically ‘money for old rope’. This is entirely the opposite. The artist aims to produce something genuinely worthwhile, and money is a side issue - simply a way for the recipient to say. “I love it. Thanks!”’ And to help the artist make a living of course.

 

The strategy is working so far - Rachel has already made a sale. To see her work, call at the Upper Lock Café, Wallbridge during their Mon-Sat opening times of 10 am to 4 pm, or 10-3 on Sunday until the end of May. To find out more contact Rachel on rahbeckett@gmail.com