eL Seed

eL Seed is a contemporary artist whose work moves between painting, sculpture, and installation, blending the visual tradition of Arabic calligraphy with the scale and energy of urban art. His practice is rooted in a deep respect for language, not just as text, but as a bridge between people, cultures, and histories.

Layering form and meaning, his artworks often carry messages of unity, coexistence, and resilience. Whether on a wall, a canvas, or in sculptural form, eL Seed’s pieces are driven by a desire to reveal the humanity often overlooked in the places and people they represent. He draws inspiration from poets, philosophers, and everyday individuals encountered in the communities he works with, allowing their stories to guide the work from concept to completion.

His art explores identity, cultural memory, and the universal need for connection. From the pyramids of Giza to the Institut du Monde Arabe in Paris, from the favelas of Rio to the Korean DMZ, his projects create moments of reflection within complex social and political landscapes. One of his most recognized works, *Perception*, created in Cairo’s garbage collectors’ district, earned international acclaim for its profound social message and was awarded the International Award for Public Art. The same project led *Foreign Policy* magazine to name him a Global Thinker.

eL Seed has been honored with the UNESCO Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture for his contribution to cultural dialogue, and was selected as a TED Fellow for using art as a platform for social impact. He was also named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, recognizing the transformative vision behind his practice.

His work is included in major public and private collections, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the Chrysler Museum, and the Collection des Musées de France. He has exhibited in institutions such as the Petit Palais in Paris, the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, and the Hangar Bicocca in Milan, and has collaborated with leading cultural institutions across the globe.

Renowned for his ability to use art as a connector, eL Seed continues to develop projects that challenge perception, celebrate cultural complexity, and speak to the shared humanity that binds us all.