Who is art for? And how are we to engage with it? Should art be in museums or outside in parks, town squares or on the side of buildings? Is art the province of an elite few, the private collector, with a rarefied language that excludes? And why do artists make art, is it for ourselves, do we exist because there’s an audience, is it because of our ego? My guest today thinks so.

eL Seed is a contemporary artist whose practice bridges painting and sculpture, developing a unique visual language inspired by the tradition of calligraphy and the energy of urban art. He uses art to explore ideas around identity, cultural heritage, creating connection and inspiring ideas of unity. About how he engages with the communities where his art is placed. Whether it be the Coptic community of Zaraeeb in Cairo or a rural community in Nepal. For eL Seed art is an amplifier, it’s about humanity and that really comes through in our discussion.

I remember listening to an interview with British sculptor Anthony Gormley, perhaps best known for his life size and life-like cast iron figures of men, he said that art belongs in the world, that ‘art is about life and it needs to be in life.’ That it can change the way we behave, think and feel. That’s exactly how I would describe eL Seed’s work.

Guest: eL Seed

Title: ‘Artists exist because there is an audience’

Music: Eminem Stan, Booba, Fairuz, Umm Kultum

Links

Website - https://elseed-art.com/

IG - https://www.instagram.com/elseed/

Youtube - https://www.youtube.com/@elseedart

Cairo project - https://youtu.be/g9M3HIjHuq0?si=0tfE03TxY5nxvJaE

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