eL Seed Brings His Brand of Contemporary Calligraphy to London

THE ART NEWSPAPER
By Gareth Harris

eL Seed, Traces, Douz, Tunisia courtesy eL Seed

The French-Tunisian street artist eL Seed will unveil new works, and his latest twist on depicting Arabic script, in his first UK solo show due to launch at Lazinc Gallery in Mayfair next month (Tabula Rasa, 25 January-9 March). Paris-born, Dubai-based eL Seed, whose practice centres on transforming the Arabic language, is known for his elaborate calligraphic compositions emblazoned across streets and public spaces in New York, Paris and Cairo. In his latest works—a series of new paintings—eL Seed further adapts Arabic calligraphy, presenting curved and looped forms, tearing the surface calligraphy “to reveal phrases and imagery below, which materialise slowly and differently with each viewing”, says the artist on Instagram. [More]

eL Seed gives Islamic art a new breath with calligraffiti

AQUILA STYLE

The famous words of Miguel de Unamuno: ‘Venceréis, pero no convenceréis’, meaning ‘You will win, but you will not convince’ – Frankfurt, Germany

MALAYSIA---eL Seed was born and raised in suburban Paris to Tunisian parents. He started spraypainting in the 90s, as form of self-exploration of his multiple identities and heritage. With hip-hop, graffiti and Arabic calligraphy as his focal interests, it is perhaps no surprise that these culminated in the creation of calligraffiti: street art that blends graffiti techniques and Arabic calligraphy. Having given a recent TEDtalk (see below) on the positive potential of street art, he is acutely aware of the impact that art can have for social change. [link]