‘Give people something to think about… without telling them what to think.’
Oldham-based artist Dylan Lisle gives folklore, fairy tales and mythology a dark, sometimes humorous twist in his oil paintings. Forget 'happily ever…'
Ahead of his Humanity! exhibition at Mill 2 Gallery in Oldham, opening at the end of the month, Cult Manchester’s Katherine Macfarlane caught up with Dylan to talk art, tattooing and why the old stories still have plenty to tell us.
Cult Manchester: Tell me about your path into becoming an artist. Were you encouraged by your family and school?
Dylan Lisle: I've been painting for as long as I can remember and my family has always been very supportive of my decision to pursue art. I grew up in South Yorkshire before studying at Gray's School of Art in Aberdeen, graduating in 2000. I've made my living as an artist ever since. I moved to Manchester in 2014 and now paint full-time from my studio in Oldham.
I don't think becoming an artist was ever one big decision. It was just something I kept doing until I couldn't imagine doing anything else.
CM: How would you describe your artwork?
Dylan: I’m primarily a figurative oil painter, using traditional techniques to explore contemporary ideas. I'm particularly interested in folklore, fairy tales and mythology, and how these stories have traditionally helped us understand morality and human behaviour. Much of my work questions what happens to those ideas as our culture increasingly shifts towards digital media. The paintings can be dark, strange and occasionally humorous. I like to give people something to think about without telling them what to think.
CM: You’re also a tattoo artist. How did that come about?
Dylan: I wanted a break from painting and fancied learning something new, so I moved from Scotland to Manchester in 2014 to learn tattooing. I ended up staying! Tattooing has allowed me to make a living creatively while continuing to develop my painting. These days I spend most of my time painting, although I still tattoo occasionally.
CM: Tell us about the exhibition in Oldham. What can we expect and experience?
Dylan: The exhibition brings together around two years of work exploring folklore, morality and our changing relationship with traditional stories and beliefs. Many of the paintings reinterpret familiar fairy tales, sayings and moral lessons through a contemporary lens, particularly considering how technology is changing the way we share and understand these ideas. Some of the work is unsettling, some humorous, and I hope people will bring their own interpretations to it.
CM: What advice would you give to a budding artist who's inspired by seeing your work?
Dylan: Become obsessed. Use art as a way to investigate your experience of the world. Be curious about everything - not just art - and don't be discouraged if things take time. I've been making art professionally for 26 years and I'm still learning.
CM: The opening night of your exhibition has a seasonal theme… with fancy dress.
Dylan: It’s an open invitation. Everyone is welcome to turn up and celebrate the opening. No invite necessary. There’s a bar and DJs too. The fancy dress is optional. In the spirit of Halloween, fairy tales or simple fun, I thought it would be appropriate.
Cult Manchester asked Dylan to share three pieces of his work and explain the stories behind them.
The Juniper Tree
Inspired by the Brothers Grimm fairy tale, this painting explores the darker side of traditional storytelling. I'm interested in how these often disturbing stories communicated ideas about morality and human behaviour, and why they remain relevant today.
Moral Witness
This painting explores vulnerability, moral responsibility and the role of the observer. The fragmented composition suggests a world in which traditional ideas of morality and certainty are becoming increasingly unstable, inviting viewers to consider their own position within the narrative.
How Dark It Was Inside the Wolf
Inspired by Little Red Riding Hood, this painting explores innocence, danger and deception. The digitally fragmented red cape reflects my interest in how traditional stories and their moral messages are changing. I invite viewers to bring their own experiences and interpretations to the work.
Humanity! runs from Friday 30 October (opening night) - Friday 13 November at 1853 Studios, Mill 2 Gallery, Osborne Mill, Waddington Street, Oldham, OL9 6QQ. More details here.
Dylan's Instagram is @dylanlisleart
