Conveying the Essence of Every Culture
eL Seed
el Seed in his studio by Ämr Ezzeldinn
el Seed is a Tunisian artist who grew up in France and mastered one of the ancient arts, Arabic calligraphy, after deeply immersing himself in the culture as an adult. He uses this Arabic art form and the power of language to spread ideas that call for unity, peace and coexistence among communities. His artworks have crossed continents and challenged stereotypes worldwide. DIVAZ’s Editor-in-Chief sat down with the artist at his office in Dubai for an insightful talk.
Tell us about your background. How have your cultural experiences shaped your identity, not only as an artist but also as a human being?
As a Tunisian Arabic calligraphy artist, I was born in Paris and grew up in France, and ironically, I didn’t know how to read or write in Arabic. When I turned 16, I started feeling unsure about whether I was Tunisian or French, and this feeling motivated me to return to my roots and study Modern Standard Arabic. This was the beginning of my journey of discovering Arabic calligraphy as a hobby, and thank God, I’ve come this far.
What moment stands out as a deep personal achievement that made you feel proud of yourself and your work?
Every project I work on is a moment of artistic challenge. The moment I experience human connection with the people I meet through my projects is the most important thing to me. While I am proud of all my projects, I believe the one I’m most proud of is my project in Manshiyat Nasser, Cairo. I painted a mural across 52 buildings, and to see the full artwork, you must go to a specific point in Mokattam. The piece changes when you walk to the left or right because of the varying wall positions.
What inspired this artwork?
The concept of the project is how sometimes we need to change the place or angle from which we see others in order to have a more accurate idea or image of them. Manshiyat Nasser is known for its slums. The community there takes Cairo’s trash, sorts it, and creates the strongest recycling system in the world. The problem that led me to this artwork is that their image is only tied to garbage, so they are somewhat marginalized. The aim of the project was to restore their image and open the community’s perception to realize that it’s important to think before judging others.
Perception, by el Seed, Cairo, Egypt
Do you think your work reflects your cultural heritage? If so, how?
My work is a symbol of my culture and identity. My identity is made up of many layers. I am of Tunisian origin, I grew up in France, and I learned Arabic when I was a little older. Your identity certainly influences your work and leaves marks on your entire life. I experimented with Arabic calligraphy and graffiti art, then developed my style and created something new. Culture and identity are deeply tied to my work.
Who is your Diva?
For me, my diva is my daughter Maya. She was born in 2010, and at that time, I was working as a business consultant. My 9-to-5 job felt monotonous, and I left that position the day before my daughter entered this world. I always tell her that I wanted to name her “Baraka” (Blessing) because she is a blessing in my life, and that name might have been better than Maya, but she insists that Maya is better. So, my diva is definitely my daughter, Maya.
el Seed Art Milano Duomo
el Seed at Art D'Egypte
