MainGUILTY and Carlos Mello Set for INDEX - Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia with Live Sculpture Show
Date: September 17-19, 2024
Location: Riyadh Front Exhibition & Conference Center, Saudi Arabia
Stand: JG6G31
For the third consecutive year, MainGUILTY and its creative director, Carlos Mello, will participate in the prestigious INDEX - Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia fair. Recognized for its growing prominence in the Saudi market, the Portuguese brand is set to introduce new innovations and an unprecedented experience for the local audience, in partnership with AIMMP - Association of Wood and Furniture Industries of Portugal
A New Exhibition Mode
This year, MainGUILTY will surprise attendees with a live sculpture show, an innovation that emphasizes the blend of art, design, and furniture, which are core values of the brand. The sculptor JCarlos, the father of MainGUILTY's founder, will be present to sculpt live, recreating part of the artistic process that characterizes the brand's unique pieces. This interactive show will not only highlight MainGUILTY's craftsmanship but also engage the Saudi audience deeply, with works inspired by the rich local culture being created over the three-day fair.
- The Life of JCarlos
How It Began: Sculptor JCarlos is the name of those mothers who lift the veil that covers art in its raw material. Born in Paços de Ferreira, José Carlos is a spirit that thrives on the search for forms and meanings with which the spirit manifests itself. Wood was his first choice. At the age of 13, leaning against the workbench, he already felt the smells, the stains, and the textures of mahogany and oak. He quickly realized that the world of workshops and working for others confined him to a repetitive and uncreative routine. Leaving the comfort of lined-up benches, JCarlos, at just fifteen years old, ventured into the realm of sculpture and took the risk of working independently. Some pieces began to emerge, and craft stores encouraged production.
In the Present: Times have changed and, with the decline of classic carving and moveable types in Paços de Ferreira, JC embarked on a journey through sculptural pieces like coffee tables and religious-themed works. The world of stone was arriving! In the early days at his own home and amidst the stonemasons' tasks, José Carlos discovered the charm of stone and the intimacy stone can have with wood. The horizon broadened, and JCarlos's works began to spread across the country and the world.
“I often say I don’t work because I love what I do. I have children spread around the world.” - José Carlos
Exhibition Highlights
Among the pieces on display, MainGUILTY will showcase its best-seller, the Apollo console, with an innovative chocolate finish. This piece is an ode to the beauty of the Greek god Apollo, combining sophistication and art in a unique design.
Carlos Mello will present his acclaimed Underpressure Collection, featuring polished brass finishes, showcasing the bold design and superior quality that are the hallmarks of his creations.
The Union of Family Roots and Art
More than a product exhibition, this year's participation in INDEX - Hotel & Hospitality Expo Saudi Arabia celebrates the family roots that inspire MainGUILTY. For the first time, father and son, JCarlos and Carlos Mello, will be together in a fair and exhibition context, offering the public a rich and authentic experience of the family's artistic legacy.
About MainGUILTY
MainGUILTY is a Portuguese brand that reflects a family's passion for design, art, and furniture. With an unwavering commitment to quality and innovation, the brand has stood out internationally, winning admirers and discerning customers worldwide.