In these troubled times, when recycling is firmly on the agenda, it’s good to know that there’s an army of very talented Oxfordshire artists doing their bit for the environment.

This year there are more Artweeks artists than ever transforming scrap metals into stunning works of art, which are enhanced by the rusty surfaces of found-materials that have been exposed to the elements for years.

Sculptress Sophie Thompson, from Milton-under-Wychwood (Artweeks site 122) creates life-size farm animals and birds from found-materials.

Her work is proving so popular she now receives orders from very far-flung places.

One of her recent commissions was from a woman from India, who invited her to make her a flock of sheep from recycled materials to go in her garden. Her client was so delighted with them, she has now asked Sophie to make some lambs to go with them.

Sophie’s love of rusting metal began when she was an impoverished arts student. “I used to visit my brother, who had a forge. He taught me to weld and handle old pieces of farm equipment. I soon began to see beauty within these metal scraps,” she said.

Sophie’s pieces are admired because they are so lifelike that they appear to capture the very essence of the animal they portray. This comes from years spent observing farm animals.

“The dynamics of a large horse rearing, to the gestures of a goat stretching to reach the leaves of a tree — such movements inject life into my work,” she explained.

Kate Day-Dawson from Wytham (Artweeks site 162) creates her wall hangings and ornaments from recycled china and coloured glass.

Pattern and vibrant colours play an important part in her work. She is fascinated by the myriad of colours found in discarded china and glass, which she finds in junk shops, village fairs, and the Northampton recycling centre.

“How I wish that Oxfordshire would adopt this idea — a recycling centre is such a positive way of reducing the landfill.

“I get such a kick from creating something new that will hopefully bring someone pleasure from materials that have been rejected. It’s a way of giving things a second life,” she said.

Kate will be showing her works alongside photographs by David Sutcliffe, who is putting together a collection that celebrates rusting, decaying boats that are no longer in service.

Seen through the eyes of a camera, they can take on a new life as there is beauty within their decay, as he explained: “The patterns, textures and shapes, as well as the richness of colour found on a rusty boat, provide me with a wealth of possibilities when I am producing abstract images.”

Samantha Drewett and Richard Zakss, from Wheatley (Artweeks site 305), share a keen interest in transforming old into new by recycling redundant pieces of furniture in interesting and imaginative ways. They see their work as a great challenge and both admit that they can never walk past a skip in the street without casting their eyes over the contents.

“You would be surprised at what can be done with old chair legs and tired table tops. We use dead trees, too. When an old oak that had fallen in a storm was offered to us we were delighted.

“The tree was more than 150 years old and measured two metres across, with a hollow in the middle. It was so big we had to get a crane to lift it. Now we are busy transforming it into coffee tables and other furnishing. It’s so satisfying to be given the chance to extend its life,” he said.

Other Artweeks artists who create works of art from recycled materials include Dymphna Hermans (Site 163), who makes colourful quits and patchwork pieces from discarded fabrics, and textile artist Victoria Borondo (Site 52), who uses vintage fabrics and buttons to make handmade purses and bags.

lArtweeks takes place from May 2 to May 25. For further information go to artweeks.org.

See Limited Edition magazine