They say one man’s rubbish is another man’s treasure – and that is certainly the case for the artist who repurposes Selco’s rubbish.
Catford artist Michael Connell takes scrap wood, broken glass and sash cord and makes contemporary art in his back garden. Much of the wood he uses comes from the builders’ merchant’s Catford branch on Bromley Road.
Connell is a 63-year-old floor screeder who built a large shed in his garden to store his artwork. The shed is called Povera and is made entirely from recycled materials.
It was a finalist in George Clarke's Amazing Spaces competition, and Connell throws open the doors every year for art exhibitions – plus a film crew recently visited to make a documentary about it.
Connell is hoping to use the space for a fashion show next year, using local designers who use recycled items.
He said: “Construction is my livelihood, but art is my passion. I love to take waste materials and make them into something spectacular.
“I’ve been using the Selco up the road for years. They have been great as they let me take the bits of wood in between pallets and recycle them. It’s a huge help.”
Carolyn Bellers, Branch Manager at Selco Catford, said: “It’s great to be able to support a loyal Selco customer like Michael in this way. I’ve seen some of his artwork and it’s fantastic.
“We’re an eco-conscious company so we’re pleased to see some of our waste being reused in an imaginative way.”
