El Seed

eL Seed uses Arabic calligraphy and a distinctive style to spread messages of peace and unity and highlight the commonalities of human existence. His works can be seen all over the world. They consistently aim to unify communities and eliminate stereotypes.

His work can be found in exhibitions and public places around the world, including the façade of the Arab World Institute in Paris. He can also be found in the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, on the DMZ between the two Koreas, and in the heart of the garbage district in Cairo.

In 2017, he won the UNESCO Sharjah Prize for Arab Culture. Foreign Policy named him a Global Thinker in 2016 for his “Perception” project in Cairo. In 2013, he collaborated with Louis Vuitton on their famous Foulard d’Artiste.

Born in 1981 in Paris to Tunisian parents, eL Seed was disconnected from his Arab roots. He only spoke the Tunisian dialect of the language at home. He began to delve into his heritage as a teenager in search of his identity. The artist learns to read and write standard Arabic. It is during this journey that he begins to develop his artistic calligraphy style.

Whenever he works in a community, he tries to find an appropriate quote to summarize its voice. He wishes to highlight its key principles of love, respect and tolerance.