30 Seconds Out of Time, 2021 by Serwan Baran captures a harrowing moment of bravery and tragedy. This large-scale acrylic painting, measuring 200 x 253 cm, depicts firemen in their vivid red uniforms rushing into the infamous Warehouse #12, situated at the Port of Beirut, just moments before the devastating August 4th, 2020 Beirut explosion. The gestural chaotic brushstrokes and intense colors evoke a sense of urgency and peril, drawing the viewer into the midst of the action. Baran’s style in this piece is reminiscent of Francis Bacon's visceral intensity, characterized by distorted and emotionally charged figures. The firemen, with their faces obscured and bodies caught in frantic motion, are set against a backdrop of an apocalyptic aftermath of the explosion. The use of acrylic paint, as a thick and fast drying medium, mirrors the urgency of reporting the deadly incident in a raw and expressive manner.

This artwork not only commemorates the bravery and sacrifice of the firemen who perished in the explosion but also serves as a poignant commentary on the fragility and heroism inherent in such tragedies. Baran's ability to translate profound emotional and historical experiences into his work is evident in the haunting imagery and deep sense of loss conveyed in 30 Seconds Out of Time, 2021. The piece stands as a powerful reminder of the lives lost and the resilience of those who face unimaginable dangers in the line of duty.


signed front lower right and on reverse in english