ARTIST
El Seed
ARTist
eL Seed is a contemporary artist whose practice bridges painting and sculpture, developing a unique visual language inspired by the tradition of calligraphy and the energy of urban art. His work is characterized by intricate layers of color, symbols and letters that convey universal messages about coexistence, peace and freedom.
Through his art, eL Seed amplifies the voices of the communities he encounters, using language as a tool to create connections and inspire ideas of unity. He celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of cultural heritage and draws inspiration from local writers, poets and philosophers he meets on his travels. With great respect, eL Seed conducts extensive research to understand the essence of each community and incorporate their wisdom and stories into his work.
A recurring theme in his art is the exploration of identity, cultural heritage, and the universal longing for connection and belonging. His work has been exhibited in prestigious galleries and public spaces worldwide. He has created iconic works in front of the pyramids of Giza, on the facade of the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, at the Duomo in Milan, the DMZ between North and South Korea and in the Cairo garbage collection district, to name but a few.
His works can be found in prestigious collections such as the MET Museum, the Chrysler Museum, The Louvre Abu Dhabi and the Collection des Musees de France. He has also collaborated with prominent institutions such as the Hangar Bicocca Pirelli Foundation, and his work has been exhibited in such famous venues as the Petit Palais in Paris and the Pergamon Museum in Berlin.
In recognition of his transformative vision, eL Seed was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2021. He has received numerous awards, including the International Award for Public Art 2019 for his project “Perception” in Cairo and the UNESCO Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture 2017. “Perception” also earned him recognition as a Global Thinker by Foreign Policy in 2016. In 2015, he became a TED Fellow and uses his platform to advocate for peaceful expression and social progress. His collaboration with Louis Vuitton on the “Foulard d’Artistes” collection cements his status as a visionary in contemporary art
STORE
STORE
LITOGRAPHY & BOOKS
PROJECTS
PROJECTS
The STORIES
In 2012, when eL Seed painted the minaret of Jara Mosque in his hometown of Gabes, in the south of Tunisia, he never thought that an art piece would bring so much attention to his city
Initially, he was just looking for a wall in his hometown, and it happened that the minaret was built in 1994. And for 18 years, those 57 meters of concrete stayed grey. When he met the Imam of the Mosque for the first time, and he told him what he wanted to do, the Imam responded, “Thank God you finally came,”.
STUDIO
The Space
eL Seed works in the public sphere. His work is not signed and he doesn’t claim ownership upon them. He works for the people and most of the time, with the people. This idea of democratising art extends to his studio space. He works from a warehouse in Alserkal Avenue in Dubai where the door is always open. He wants people to be able to visit him at any time and witness the way he works. The studio space is a reflection of what he does in public.
