Biography
Serwan Baran, born in Baghdad in 1968, is a Kurdish artist currently based in Beirut. He graduated with a degree in Fine Arts from Babel University in Iraq in 1992. Initially known for his impressionistic realism, focusing on portraiture, military figures, and local scenes, Baran’s style evolved significantly after 2003. He shifted towards abstraction, allowing his work to be driven more by impulse than premeditated composition.
Baran’s early career was marked by teaching at Baghdad University and exploring Iraq’s cultural heritage, influenced by Babylonian mythology. He has received several awards, including first prize for youth in Baghdad (1990), second prize at the Iraqi Contemporary Art Exhibition (1994), golden prize at the same exhibition (1995), an honorary medal at the Cairo 7th Biennial (2002), and a discretionary award at Baghdad Pinal (2002). Baran has represented Iraq at the 58th International Venice Biennale in 2019 and has exhibited internationally in Jordan, Beirut, and other locations. His work often engages with social and political themes, reflecting on human rights and the impact of conflict.
Artwork
