MOODY sheep and sketchy white horses haunt patchy hillsides, while Didcot's towering ebony power plant chugs out clouds of jaundiced steam over a nocturnal landscape.

This is the Vale of White Horse of an alternative universe, but it also feels strangely familiar.

As part of this year's Oxfordshire Artweeks, two southern Oxfordshire artists have staged an exhibition revealing their unique view of the region in a variety of prints and paintings.

Catriona Brodribb and Lin Kerr of Oxford Art Society use various media to challenge the chocolate box image of the famous Vale and just occasionally bring out a darker side.

Their exhibition at Wantage's Vale and Downland Museum opened yesterday and runs until June 2.

Oil painter Lin Kerr, who lives in Chilton and teaching at Ardington School of Crafts, says she uses her chosen medium to 'explore mood in contemporary landscape'.

Although much of her work is vibrant still-life, this exhibition features a selection of lavish landscapes; sunsets over hills and vales while lonely trees shiver under mighty skies.

Printmaker Catriona Brodbridd also takes her inspiration from local scenery.

Having started exploring the medium at Ruskin School of Art in the late 1970s, she now uses screen-printing, woodcuts and etchings.

The combined effect of the two artists' work is a weird juxtaposition of everyday objects and familiar scenes as seen through a glass darkly.

Art lovers can take in the whole show at the museum Monday to Saturday, 9.30am to 4pm except Sundays and Bank Holidays.

The duo will also hold a 'meet the artists' session at the museum on Thursday, May 24, from 11am to 3pm where they will reveal some of their technique and process.

The show and workshop are among a host of exhibitions and events taking place during this year's Artweeks.

Find out more at artweeks.org