Artist returns to her roots one last time

SWAN-SONG display . . . for Sonia Ratcliff

A Saddleworth artist is holding a special swan-song exhibition — before she starts concentrating on commissioned works.

Sonia Ratcliff is staging “Oldham and Beyond” at Gallery Oldham from Saturday until January 10, 2010.

Sonia’s artistic career, spanning 40 years, has produced exhibitions throughout the UK and two shows in Australia.

For this display, Oldham-born Sonia has taken contemporary and nostalgic views from her home town, particularly the now declining Tommyfield Market in its heyday, and scenes of Saddleworth where she is happily settled in Dobcross.

Further afield, some pictures reflect the impressions she gained during extensive foreign travels and her paintings are held in some private collections.

She said: “I feel deeply about the disappearing face of the town I remember from childhood and I have aimed to capture the best of what is still left.

“However, I feel my explorations have now run their course and this Gallery Oldham exhibition, fittingly returning full circle to my roots.

“It will be my swan-song, freeing me to concentrate on commissions.”