French-Tunisian artist eL Seed is known worldwide for his large-scale calligraphy murals that bring Arabic script into contemporary urban contexts.
A few years ago, Bahrain became home to several of his striking pieces; works that merged poetry, language, and public space in vibrant, circular compositions.
eL Seed’s signature style blends traditional Arabic calligraphy with bold colour and movement, transforming it into something both ancient and modern. In Bahrain, his artworks appeared across various locations, painted with spray paint directly onto public walls. These circular motifs, often filled with verses or philosophical reflections, seemed to ripple outward, drawing people into their rhythm, even if the text wasn’t immediately legible.
The circular form is central to eL Seed’s visual language. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, the circle symbolises unity, wholeness, and continuity. For the artist, it creates a space where meaning can exist even without full comprehension. Viewers, whether fluent in Arabic or not, are invited to engage with the form, colour, and movement of the script, allowing emotion to lead interpretation.
His temporary pieces in Bahrain weren’t just murals; they were moments, fleeting but impactful. They animated the city with colour and conversation, offering locals and visitors a chance to reconnect with the beauty of Arabic script outside formal or traditional settings.
While some of these works have faded or been covered, their legacy remains. eL Seed’s pieces in Bahrain opened up a dialogue between past and present, art and language, visibility and memory, leaving a lasting impression on the urban and cultural landscape.
Artwork location: Bahrain Bay
Author: Rahmah Waheed
Photography credits: Rahmah Waheed
