eL Seed’s new sculpture at Tashkeel

Takhayyal, a striking public art installation by renowned French Tunisian artist eL Seed, was unveiled at Tashkeel, Dubai. In his signature calligraphic style the metal sculpture in blazing pink is inspired by the phrase – ‘Imagine something you have never done before’.  eL Seed shared that these words were posed as a challenge to him by Sheikha Lateefa, the founder of Tashkeel, that motivated him to create Takhayyal. “When Sheikha Lateefa first invited me for an artist residency in 2013, she challenged me with these very words: ‘Imagine something you have never done before.’ That phrase led me to create my first sculpture, which culminated in my debut solo exhibition, ‘Declaration,’ painted in my signature pink. Today, 12 years later, I return to complete this journey with ‘Takhayyal’—a tribute to Tashkeel, to Sheikha Lateefa’s vision, and to the limitless power of imagination,” said eL Seed.

A long-time collaborator with Tashkeel, eL Seed became an artist-in-residence in November 2013 and later partnered with ENOC during Expo 2020 Dubai. His first solo exhibition, ‘Declaration,’ was hosted at Tashkeel, marking a pivotal moment in his artistic journey. Renowned for merging calligraphy, philosophy, and storytelling, his works have graced iconic locations worldwide, including the façade of the Arab World Institute in Paris, the favelas of Rio de Janeiro, the Demilitarized Zone between North and South Korea, the townships of Cape Town, and the heart of Cairo’s Zabaleen district. Through his artistic practice, eL Seed conveys universal messages of peace, unity, and shared human experience, reinforcing the enduring power of art as a medium of connection. Takhayyal is part of Dubai Culture’s Public Art Initiative to transform the city into an open air museum.

Sheikha Lateefa bint Maktoum bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Founder and Executive Director of Tashkeel said, “Takhayyal is more than just a word; it is the foundation of every artist’s journey. Imagination knows no limits—this is the essence of Tashkeel’s mission, continuously exploring new possibilities and supporting artists in realising their vision. With Takhayyal now installed in Nad Al Sheba, we celebrate how imagination serves as both the starting point and the destination for every artistic journey.”