A professional headshot of contemporary artist eL Seed. He is wearing a white t-shirt and glasses, smiling warmly with his arms crossed, set against the backdrop of one of his vibrant, large-scale blue and black calligraffiti paintings.

eL Seed

The Artist

eL Seed uses Arabic calligraphy and a distinctive style to spread messages of peace, unity and to underline the commonalities of human existence. His artwork can be found all over the world and consistently aims at unifying communities and redressing stereotypes.

Biography

Biography

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.

A wide environmental portrait of artist eL Seed in his creative studio. He stands confidently behind a large workbench covered in art supplies, with three of his signature calligraffiti paintings on the wall behind him: a blue and black piece, a yellow and black piece, and a circular silver-on-black composition.

talks

prizes

Unesco Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture

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Foreign Policy Global Thinker Award

A feature from Foreign Policy magazine recognizing artist eL Seed as a 2016 Global Thinker. The image includes a professional black and white portrait of the artist alongside the powerful headline, 'For tearing down walls by painting them.' The accompanying text describes his monumental 'Perception' mural in the Manshiyat Nasr neighborhood of Cairo, explaining how the anamorphic calligraffiti piece brought honor and a new perspective to the Zaraeeb community.