Artist eL Seed recently completed a project at Al Ula in Saudi Arabia and spoke of his experience in a place he’s been visiting since 2019, and how it relates to his art process:

“As an artist, it is important for me to bridge my artwork to the place where I paint. In this particular series, I wanted to pay tribute to the people of Al Ula.

I have been visiting the city since 2019. The beauty of its landscape, with its towering mountains and palm trees, gives you an immediate and striking impression. But what truly sets the city apart for me is the hospitality of its people.

Artwork: eL Seed mural at Al Ula, Saudi Arabia, 2023

Their warmth and generosity is unique and humbling, and it inspired me to create works that celebrate and honour their kindness.

I spent 2 weeks there working on 2 murals with my team. I invited the community to help me filling up the colours, involving them, to make sure they feel the artworks belong to them. At the end of the project, I wanted to give back to the community by inviting them to have a tea/coffee around a fire in front of one of the murals. Friends and members of the community came, passers-by and random tourists stopped and joined us. I loved it.

As an artist, I wanted at the beginning of my journey to leave something behind. To leave a trace. So I travel around the world, meeting people, discovering cultures. I wanted to leave a trace in people’s life. Soon enough, I realised that people were leaving something in my life. It wasn’t about me anymore. It was about the people. I carry their story with me, the moments we shared.

Thank you Al Ula for leaving a trace in my life.”