This original artwork is inspired by a large urban installation in 2020 on the island of Lesbos in Greece. The location of the wall was close to the site of the infamous refugee camp known as Moria. At its peak, Moria was dangerously overpopulated. In September of 2020, a massive fire broke out and destroyed much of the camp, displacing its tens of thousands of inhabitants from their temporary shelter.

                                                                                   “Always, always, pass through fire to reach the shining,”

eL Seed visited the camp following the fire and met with refugees who had lost so much, but maintained a strong sense of hope for the future. Near the burned Moria camp, eL Seed created a mural which is still in situ, depicting in three languages (English, Arabic, and Greek) the words of Greek poet Odysseus Elytis (1911–1996), “Always, always, pass through fire to reach the shining,” a testimony to the tragedy, resilience, and strength of the refugees of the camp. This aptly chosen line is taken from Elytis’ epic poem The Axion Esti (1959) from a section that deals directly with man’s exploration of human perseverence and determination.