A rubbish tip is the site of an artist’s new workshop as he transforms people’s dumped belongings into works of art.

Roger Miles has set up his studio at the Townmead Road Re-Use and Recycling Centre in Richmond so he can explore the effects of decay and ageing on found objects and uncover their histories.

The 56-year-old from Barnes is creating contemporary artwork from unloved items, which range from the obscure to everyday, abandoned by people from across the borough.

He says: “I mainly work in sculpture and installation art and look at things in an abstract way to create artwork that is both intriguing and funny.

“It interests me to find artistic value in objects most believe are worthless and create a piece of art which can be displayed in a gallery or sold.

“The recycling centre is located next to Mortlake Crematorium and there are clearly a lot of things disposed of that once belonged to those who have passed on.

“This inspired me to look at the melancholy of death and the recycling of memories and one of my ideas is to memorialise death from items found at the centre.

“There are lots of things that can be used to create contemporary art and I am currently trying to collect vintage hi-fi and radio parts, picture frames and children’s toys as well as the more unusual items that turn up every day.”

The Chelsea College of Art and Design student is half-way through his three-year BA in fine art and teamed up with Richmond Council’s arts and recycling services for the residency, which will run until the end of September.

He says: “The idea of creating artwork from disused materials came to me when I was at my parents’ house and I was looking how to dispose of a lifetime’s memories and I thought I could create something from this.

“Working at the recycling centre and looking at all the different types of material coming in and how it could be used for making art excites me and I thank Richmond Council for allowing this to happen.”

The mature student is at the centre on weekdays and is happy to discuss his work with visitors bringing waste to the site.

His work will be displayed in Richmond when the project is complete and will be available to buy.

Roger Miles at the Townmead Road Re-Use and Recycling Centre, in Townmead Road, Richmond. With exhibition to be announced.

Follow him on Twitter @jogroglog or visit rogermilesartist.com and jogroglog.blogspot.co.uk.