This article appeared in Being Serwan Baran Issue #69 dedicated to tackling the journey of Serwan Baran, an Iraqi artist who transforms the brutal realities of war and human suffering into visual narratives. Born in Baghdad in 1968 and shaped by his experiences as a soldier, Baran’s work is rich with authenticity and emotional depth. His art reveals a complex psyche and a deep connection to the human experience. Through dark, brooding canvases, Baran explores themes of pain, resilience, and hope, urging viewers to confront uncomfortable truths while embracing our shared humanity.
Issue #69 ‘Being Serwan Baran’
Acrylic on canvas, 200 x 150 cm. Courtesy of Gallery Misr.
Serwan Baran continues to visit Iraq but has grown disheartened with his country’s transformation and what he deems to be a regressing artistic community. Since his permanent departure in 2003, his work has taken on a more political tone because of his ability to express himself more freely outside of Iraq. Baran has been significantly shaped by his experiences living in Beirut, particularly following the 2020 blast. Being so close to the centre, and then witnessing the coming together of the Lebanese youth cleaning the streets, culminated in testimonial works like Beirut Clean-Up and 30 Seconds Out of Time, the latter a reflection on the fate of the ten firefighters who disappeared in the port as the blast occurred. During this time, Baran was also personally impacted by the Lebanese economic crisis and the pandemic, which prompted a series of deeply delicate and thought-provoking works centred on destruction and isolation. He discusses in depth his thought process on how those ideas came to be and gives us insight into more recent pieces focused on the war in Gaza and modern technological warfare.
The Trumpeters
The Trumpeters by Serwan Baran invites viewers to confront the stark realities of human suffering and the search for identity. Baran, shaped by the ravages of war and displacement, channels these experiences into his art, creating a raw and unfiltered portrayal of the world. Baran’s journey through conflict and exile has deeply influenced his work. This collection of paintings reflects his personal struggles and broader themes of resilience and pain. The art presents difficult subjects with a directness that engages viewers with Baran’s core experiences. Each piece in The Trumpeters serves as a commentary on the human condition, using the human form to explore loss, identity, and survival. The exhibition challenges viewers to face the harsh truths of existence, offering a space to reflect on how our experiences shape us.
Explore related articles on Serwan Baran’s art and career.
Being Serwan Baran: Home, Belonging and Creating Through Chaos
Being Serwan Baran: The Art of War: The Political Expression in Exile Part II