Exhibitions

Gallery Oldham has three large exhibition spaces plus a community gallery, Gallery 4.

We take an innovative and unique approach to exhibition programming, bringing together what were once separate museum and gallery services.

Our programming incorporates Oldham’s extensive art, social and natural history collections alongside touring work, newly commissioned and contemporary art, international art and work produced with local communities.

In addition we have permanent displays around the building.

Current Exhibitions

Gallery 1 – Oldham Stories

Oldham Stories features selected objects from our extensive collections to tell and show the stories of Oldham and its local and natural communities.

From mountain hare and moorhens to banners and artwork, every object has a fascinating tale to tell. Our Collector’s Case features an array of caps, shirts and memorabilia from Oldham Rugby Football League.

The display also highlights local figures such as campaigner Marjory Lees and the popular artist Helen Bradley, as well as Sir Winston Churchill who started his political career right here in Oldham.

If you want to know more about Oldham’s unique range of wildlife habitats, you’ll find it here.

Gallery 2 – Minute to Midnight

7 December – 1 March 2025

The Doomsday Clock was developed in 1947 as an indicator to show how close humanity is to destruction/Armageddon. Then it was set at seven seconds to midnight. The hands are currently set at 90 seconds to midnight. This is the nearest that the planet has been to disaster since the Clock has been used as an indicator. Each January decisions are made as to the time set on the Doomsday Clock. Many World factors are considered,  one of which is climate change.

Human activities such as burning fossil fuel to power factories, for transport and to heat our homes release carbon dioxide. As a result, scientists have observed Earth’s surface is warming, and many of the warmest years have happened in the past 20.

For this exhibition we have invited five artists based in the north-west of England to show works which consider the climate emergency, and their role as artists in relation to this. Featuring thought-provoking work by Rebecca Chesney, Antony Hall, Mishka Henner, Adele Jordan and Rae Story.

Image by Rebecca Chesney

Gallery 3 – One Seven Five: An incomplete history of Oldham in 175 objects

15 June – 11 January 2025

2024 sees the 175th anniversary of the founding of the borough of Oldham. To celebrate, a variety of today’s Oldhamers have selected objects which tell fascinating stories about our area through the years. We’ll be showcasing stories of Olympic glory, a pet wasp, and some gems from Oldham’s art and natural history collections which you may not have seen.

Coming Soon

The Lights

25 January – 25 April 2025

Over the last ten years, Grundy Art Gallery in Blackpool has developed a special interest in artists who use light as a material within their work. In addition to an annual light themed exhibition each autumn, Grundy has also been adding light based art works to its collection.

We are pleased to present a selection of works from Grundy’s collection here in Oldham for the first time. The exhibition will include work by artists Martin Creed, Noel Clueit, Tracey Emin, Tony Heaton, and Mark Titchner. The Lights takes its title from the shorthand for how the Blackpool Illuminations are referred to locally.

Raspberry Ripple by Tony Heaton