Inside 1853: Oldham's Creative Scene

From Bo Selecta to Keith Lemon and Celebrity Juice, Leigh Francis has been "titting about" on our televisions for years, but did you know he's also an artist? Well he is. BUT he's never done and exhibition of his work...until now! 1853 Studios in Oldham is host Leigh's work for his debut show and it's all thanks to a chance meeting on holiday and our Deggy. Prior to the exhibition launch on Friday 4th September, Our Art Podcast caught up with Leigh to chat about his art, his certificate face and his perineum, amongst other things. Enjoy. ⁠1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work, exhibit and visit here. This episode was ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hosted by ⁠⁠Deggy⁠⁠ and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Dean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.www.1853studios.comwww.northernmediaco.co.uk

Becky J. Field is the "non-artist" who has just put on an art exhibition...right! UNSEEN is an immersive art exhibition exploring the hidden and lasting impact of cyber bullying - the unseen consequences that ripple far beyond the screen and into everyday life.For more information about Becky's work click here. 1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode was ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠hosted by Deggy and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Dean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Oldham's Dare To Know Theatre are specialists in working class and community theatre. For the second consecutive year they are delivering Dare To Create, Oldham Arts Festival with a packed programme of theatre, activities and workshops, largely delivered by the people of Oldham, for the people of Oldham. This year, Oldham is Greater Manchester's Town of Culture so you'd imagine that the local council would be keen to back the event with some of the funding they received to support cultural events, right? Wrong. In this episode, Jake and Miranda from DTK explain how despite the challenges, feeling snubbed and overlooked, they are dedicated to bringing affordable arts experiences to the people of Oldham. Get tickets here1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode was ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Dean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

In this episode, our Deggy catches up with our very own Dylan Lisle.Dylan is a figurative painter who studied at Gray’s School of Art in Aberdeen. He is based at 1853 Studios working as both a painter and tattooist. His work has been exhibited extensively, with solo exhibitions in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Manchester as well as group shows in New York, London, Eton, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Manchester.To view Dylan's incredible work visit his website here and his Instagram here. 1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode was ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Dean⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Jake McNeill is the founder of Creative Hackers. His job is to "Get Multipotentialites With Big Ideas Unstuck" with coaching sessions that help creative minds unlock their potential. Matt discovered Jake on TikTok, where he has amassed a following of over 160K, by sharing engaging content about the "divergent thinking paradox", which holds many a "creative" back. We highly recommend this episode and suggest following Jake on social media for more insights. Links below. Enjoy!https://www.creativehackers.co/https://www.tiktok.com/@jakecreativehackers1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠This episode was hosted ⁠⁠⁠⁠and produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠Matt Dean⁠⁠⁠⁠.

There are exciting times ahead for Oldham and one of the reasons is us, 1853 Studios and Gallery and the amazing talent who create within. I this episode Deggy & Matt catch up with founder and artist Rachel to discuss the progress of the studios and how it has the potential to sit at heart of Oldham's future development. 1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠⁠Hosted by ⁠⁠⁠Deggy⁠⁠⁠ and produced by ⁠⁠⁠Matt Dean⁠⁠⁠.

What does peripheries mean to you? More in importantly, what does it mean to the eight artists who answered our open call? In this episode we find out as we discuss what it means to be on the edge of things, open call culture, and the arts eco-system. Recorded on 8th May 2026 at the Peripheries launch event at 1853 Studios & Gallery in Oldham, Greater Manchester, the exhibition runs until 23rd May. This podcast and Peripheries were funded by The Arts Council. Peripheries features the following artists:Rabia Begum: @rabsarts https://rabiabegum.co.ukThomas Bradley: @tcbscalligRio Darwin: @_riodarwin https://riodarwin.cargo.siteKamil Duda: @kamildudaartDaisyFulton: @daisyfultonarthttps://daisyfulton.comGemmaLees: @gemmathepoethttps://gemmaleesartist.co.ukMahrokhNakhaei: @mahrokh_mofid_nakhaeihttps://mahrokh.ukIqra Tariq: @iqra.tariq89Hosted by Luca Shaw and Matt Dean. Produced by Northern Media Co.

Jack Horner aka Leon The Pig Farmer is a Manchester-based Yorkshire beat poet and ex-serviceman who creates high-energy, raw spoken-word performances about mental health, PTSD recovery, and working-class life. Jack is also one half of The Dirt, a transglobal collaboration with his life and musical partner, Japanese musician Sachiko, combining Psych shoe gaze guitars, electronic rhythm and abrasive spoken verse to full genre bending effect.1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.⁠⁠Hosted by ⁠⁠Deggy⁠⁠ and produced by ⁠⁠Matt Dean⁠⁠.

DIPACT is an award-winning Manchester-based, artist-led organization founded in 2016 that blends art, food, and culture to build community wealth and empower artists from diverse backgrounds. Follow them here on Instagram and here on Facebook. 1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co.⁠ but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.⁠Hosted by ⁠Deggy⁠ and produced by ⁠Matt Dean⁠.

Federico Cossu is an Italian artist born in Cagliari, Sardinia, who relocated to Manchester in 2014. During lockdown, Fede discovered the beauty of painting, a passion that has since become an integral part of life, along with a passion for music and keeping it real. Listen to Fede's band, Shiva May Care on Spotify here. 1853 Studios & Gallery⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Oldham, Greater Manchester is not only home to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Northern Media Co. but to an ever growing, wonderfully varied and extremely talented collection of artists and creatives. Frankly, it would be criminal NOT to make a podcast and meet the characters who work here. Learn more about ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠1853 Studios⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ The Northern Media Co.Hosted by Deggy and produced by Matt Dean.