From the Vault: Stuart Semple show, Episode 1 - Sarah Maple. Social Works, Shifting the Social Dial, and Staying Humble with Sarah Maple, Visual Artist #1This is a re-release of episode 1 of the Stuart Semple show, as the episodes have disappeared in time and we want to share them again for those that missed them the first time around.

The Stuart Semple Show comes with one clear message, ‘art is for everyone.’ In every episode, Stuart talks to different artists to gain an insight into their humble beginnings, controversial moments, and future projects in this hour-long art podcast.

In episode 1, Stuart speaks to visual artist Sarah Maple. The pair delve into the political and social side of making artwork under the watchful eye of the public, the cultural cornerstones that inspire them, and the intersection of comedy and art. 

This chilled-out podcast strays from the script. Stuart’s guests are friends and colleagues, which makes for an intimate hour of fun and thought-provoking ideas. This series includes conversations about design, painting, sculpture, activism, and art exhibitions.

This episode covers:

Sarah Maple’s 6 part series

Feminist beginnings

Artistic inspiration

Switching the political and social dial

Staying humble

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.diaryofanartist.co.uk

🎧 On the Fence About Leaving London

Diary of an Artist Podcast – Stuart Semple

In this episode, Stuart Semple reads his latest essay from Diary of an Artist, reflecting on leaving London, creative burnout, and why stepping away from the centre of the art world might be the best decision an artist can make.

If you’ve ever questioned whether you need to be in London to “make it”, or found yourself searching things like “should artists live in London”, “leaving London creative career”, or even “Stuart Semple London art scene”, this one’s for you.

✨ What this episode covers

Why London can feel creatively limiting despite its opportunities

The psychological shift from city life to coastal living

The reality behind the London art scene and creative industries

A personal story of building a career beyond the capital

How moving away led to more exhibitions, museum work, and global projects

The rise of artists leaving London and working remotely

Finding space, clarity, and better work outside major cities

🌊 Key themes

This is not a rant about London. It’s a deeper look at:

Creative independence vs. creative pressure

Identity and place in an artist’s life

The myth that success only happens in big cities

Building a meaningful career on your own terms

🧠 Why listen?

Whether you’re an artist, writer, or creative thinker, this episode speaks to a question many people are quietly asking:

Do I actually need to be in London to succeed?

It also gives context to Stuart’s wider journey, for anyone who may have come across his work, his writing, or searched for more about his career and creative life.

📍 About Stuart Semple

Stuart Semple is a British artist known for his paintings, public artworks, and for founding Culture Hustle, a platform that has supplied innovative materials to artists all over the world.

After a decade in London, he returned to the coast, where he continues to make work, write, and build projects including the public gallery GIANT.

🔎 Related searches this episode connects with

Leaving London as an artist

London art scene reality

Stuart Semple artist story

Culture Hustle founder interview

Creative life outside London

Do you need to live in a big city to be successful

📩 Subscribe

If you prefer listening to essays while walking, painting, or travelling, subscribe to get new episodes as they drop.

You can also read the original essay at:👉 diaryofanartist.co.uk

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.diaryofanartist.co.uk

Episode 2: Dumping the Middle Man

What if the thing that was supposed to connect us… quietly became the thing standing in between?

In this episode of Diary of an Artist, I’m reading aloud “Dumping the Middle Man – My Social Media Ex.” It’s a story about the early promise of the internet, the strange shift into algorithmic control, and why I’ve decided to step away from social platforms entirely.

It starts with a simple idea.Art, like a sunset, should belong to everyone.

No gatekeepers. No middlemen. Just the work and the person experiencing it.

But somewhere along the way, something changed.

If you’ve ever felt like you’re shouting into the void online, or that the system is subtly reshaping what you make, how you think, even who you are… this one might hit close to home.

I made this podcast because I know a lot of you are busy.You’re painting, making, walking the dog, driving somewhere, or just trying to get through the day. Reading isn’t always possible. So this is the audio version. Same thoughts, same stories, just in your ears instead.

If you want the full experience, including the original article, you can read it here:https://www.diaryofanartist.co.uk/p/dumping-the-middle-man

In this episode:

The original promise of the internet and why it felt like freedom

How platforms became the new gatekeepers of art and attention

Why algorithms reward noise over truth

The hidden psychological cost of chasing reach and validation

Aaron Swartz, open access, and the fight for a truly free web

Why I walked away from social media and what comes next

——————————————————————————

About this podcast

This is Diary of an Artist.

I’ll be reading my articles out loud, once a week. No fuss, no overproduction. Just ideas, stories, and thoughts about art, creativity, and the strange world around us.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.diaryofanartist.co.uk

🎧 Episode 1: They Lied About Magenta

What if I told you one of the most iconic colours in art… doesn’t actually exist?

In this first episode of Diary of an Artist, I’m reading aloud one of my favourite recent pieces, “They Lied About Magenta.” It’s a strange, funny, slightly mind-bending story about colour, perception, and how easily we accept things as truth without ever questioning them.

If you’ve ever picked up a paintbrush, stared at a colour chart, or just wondered how much of what we see is real… this one’s for you.

I made this podcast because I know a lot of you are busy. You’re painting, making, walking the dog, driving somewhere, or just trying to get through the day. Reading isn’t always possible. So this is the audio version. Same thoughts, same stories, just in your ears instead.

If you want the full experience, including images and the original article, you can read it here:👉 https://www.diaryofanartist.co.uk/p/they-lied-about-magenta

🧠 In this episode:

Why magenta technically doesn’t exist

How your brain invents colour

The weird gap in the visible spectrum

Why artists should question everything they’re told

🎨 About this podcast

This is Diary of an Artist.I’ll be reading my articles out loud, once a week. No fuss, no overproduction. Just ideas, stories, and thoughts about art, creativity, and the strange world around us.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.diaryofanartist.co.uk