ARTIST Mackenzie Thorpe, who has spent the past two years carving a niche in the US market, returns to his native North-East to launch his latest work this weekend.

Middlesbrough-born Mr Thorpe's distinctive but quirky style has already made its mark - his square sheep finding favour among the rich and famous as well as ordinary art lovers around the world.

However, with demand growing across the Atlantic, he decided to set up a base in San Francisco in 2001 - while insisting it did not mean he was severing ties with his Arthaus gallery, in Finkle Street, Richmond, North Yorkshire.

This weekend, Mr Thorpe aims to be as good as his word, returning to launch The Game of Life - a series of emotive paintings and sculptures which reflect the North-East's relationship with football.

The exhibition will travel to 95 venues around the UK ahead of a final showing at the Royal Lancaster Hotel, in London, on Sunday, June 15, when the originals will go on sale.

Meanwhile, the Arthaus is planning its own auction in aid of the Mackenzie Thorpe Foundation this weekend, when the artist will be available for signings on Saturday, between noon and 3pm.

Images from the Game of Life exhibition can also be found on the artist's new website at www.mackenziethorpe.net