Marcelo de Melo

Marcelo José de Melo (born 23 January 1972) is a Brazilian artist. He was born in Apucarana, Paraná, and lives and works in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. (Naturalised British in 2003).

Marcelo de Melo has been living in Europe since 1996. In Brazil, he worked in the theatre as a professional actor, lighting designer, and stage manager. He took part in several productions for Teatro Guaíra, in Curitiba. Since his arrival in Europe he developed a keen interest in mosaic art. From 1998 to 2005, he was based in Edinburgh, Scotland, where he carried out most of his mosaic production. He is best known for his ‘structural mosaic technique’ (tesserae used as structural elements as well as surface embellishment). One of his structural works called ‘Running Rug’ was awarded the Juror’s Prize at the SAMA - Earth Elements Exhibition in Miami in 2003. De Melo travelled worldwide visiting museums and archaeological sites in pursuit of his passion for mosaics and art in general. He went on a study trip to Southeast Asia in 2002/2003 and produced an article on mosaic art in Thailand, Laos, and Vietnam published in Grout Magazine (BAMM - UK) and in A Tessela Brazilian Mosaic Magazine (AMPAP). He has exhibited in several countries including Brazil, France, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US. Several of his works have been featured in books and magazines worldwide. His production is varied, ranging from sculptures to paintings and collages.

Running Rug, 2001 - structural mosaic work

The book De Kunst van het Mozaieken (ISBN 9058777391), jointly written with Greet Weitenberg, is his latest contribution to mosaics. It was published in the Netherlands in January 2010 by Forte Uitgevers BV.

"In the irreverent world of Marcelo de Melo, mosaics are a launching point for his ideas and perceptions. Pushing the boundaries of traditional techniques, de Melo uses materials only as a means to an end, that end being the impassioned request to stimulate the viewer to the thoughts beyond the physical piece." (JoAnn Locktov)^[1]

Publications

Marcelo's mosaics have been featured in:

Books

Hunkin, Tessa. Modern Mosaic. Firefly Books, UK, 2003. ISBN 1-55297-701-3
Kelly, Sarah. The Complete Mosaic Handbook. Firefly Books, US, October 2004. ISBN 1-55297-774-9
Sonia King. Mosaic Techniques & Traditions. Sterling Publishing, US, 2003. ISBN 0-8069-7577-6
Locktov, JoAnn. Mosaic Art and Style. Rockport Publishers, US, March 2005. ISBN 1-59253-145-8
MacKay, Jill. Creative Garden Mosaics. Sterling Publishing/Lark Books: US, 2004. ISBN 1-57990-599-4
Mills, Theresa. The Mosaic Artist's Bible. Trafalgar Square Publishings: US, 2005. ISBN 1-57076-293-7
Mills, Theresa. Mosaic Basics. Barron's Educational Series. US, 2006. ISBN 0-7641-5961-5
Pereira, Bea. Mosaico sem Segredos. Curitiba, Brazil, 2006
Wates, R. The Mosaic Decorator's Sourcebook. David & Charles: UK, 2001. ISBN 0-7153-1139-5
Wates, Rosalind. The Mosaic Idea Book. North Light Books: US, 2000. ISBN 1-58180-095-9

Magazine Articles & Newspapers:

Baierl, S. Uma volta ao mundo do mosaico. In: MAO NA MASSA. São Paulo, Brasil, Oct. 2003. n. 10
Gonçalves, M. F. Palestra. In: CADERNO G - GAZETA DO POVO. Curitiba, Brasil, 10 abril 2003.
Gordon, G. Hands on. In: AT HOME - Scotland on Sunday. Edinburgh, UK, June, 2003.
Hunter, N. All broken up. In: HOME PLUS SCOTLAND. Edinburgh, UK, Nov/Dec. 2001.
Lauton, T. Mosaico, riqueza e perfeiçao nos detalhes. In: ARTE COM AS MAOS. São Paulo, Brasil, Sept. 2002. ed. 01
Punton, Allan. British Mosaic Art at the Brink. In: MOSAIC. Mosaic Art Assoc. in Japan: Tokyo, 2004. Nov.vol. 9
Rodinick, V. Quando mosaicar é como comer e dormir. In: ARTE COM AS MAOS. São Paulo, Brasil, Nov. 2002. ed. 02
San Martin, P. Estante de Ideias. In: ARTE COM AS MAOS. São Paulo, Brasil, 2005. ed. 20
Taj Mahal Review. Allahabad, India, December 2005. Vol. 4, n. 2

1. ^ Mosaic Art and Style. Rockport Publishers, US. March 2005. ISBN 1-59253-145-8.