THIS ALABASTER GRAVE
This Alabaster Grave is Cengiz Yar’s first monograph exploring the overwhelming destruction and pain faced by the Iraqi city of Mosul, within the context of its history and unique, now largely ruined, architecture. The book questions the cost of the fight against ISIS and global war on terror as told through the lives and city that bore the brunt of its destructive force.
The photographs were made between 2015 and 2023 and fluctuate between reportage and moments of contemplation.
The book includes a foreword from Azmat Khan, an essay by Campbell MacDiarmid, and a pullout map. It is designed by Jason Koxvold of Gnomic Book and written in both English and Arabic.
Awards: 2025 Lucie Photo Book Prize Shortlist
Press: Roads & Kingdoms, booooooom, Bryan Birks YT, 10FPS Podcast
ISBN: 979-8-218-58048-3
Book: 292x216x25mm, 947 grams
Poster: 570x760mm
Pages: 172 inside in hardcover
Published in 2025 by Ocotillo Press
International order can be made through Idea Books NL
In the fall of 2025, Cengiz brought 500 copies of his book This Alabaster Grave back to Iraq and distributed them in Mosul. Filmmaker Savva Svet documented the journey.
Purchase a copy of the book here:
This Alabaster Grave is Cengiz Yar’s first monograph exploring the overwhelming destruction and pain faced by the Iraqi city of Mosul, within the context of its history and unique, now largely ruined, architecture. The book questions the cost of the fight against ISIS and global war on terror as told through the lives and city that bore the brunt of its destructive force.
The photographs were made between 2015 and 2023 and fluctuate between reportage and moments of contemplation.
The book includes a foreword from Azmat Khan, an essay by Campbell MacDiarmid, and a pullout map. It is designed by Jason Koxvold of Gnomic Book and written in both English and Arabic.
Press: Roads & Kingdom, booooooom
Awards: 2025 Lucie Photo Book Prize Shortlist
ISBN: 979-8-218-58048-3
Book: 292x216x25mm, 947 grams
Poster: 570x760mm
Pages: 172 inside in hardcover
Edition of 1000, second edition
Published in 2025 by Ocotillo Press
We are not currently offering international shipping options.
This Alabaster Grave is Cengiz Yar’s first monograph exploring the overwhelming destruction and pain faced by the Iraqi city of Mosul, within the context of its history and unique, now largely ruined, architecture. The book questions the cost of the fight against ISIS and global war on terror as told through the lives and city that bore the brunt of its destructive force.
The photographs were made between 2015 and 2023 and fluctuate between reportage and moments of contemplation.
The book includes a foreword from Azmat Khan, an essay by Campbell MacDiarmid, and a pullout map. It is designed by Jason Koxvold of Gnomic Book and written in both English and Arabic.
Press: Roads & Kingdom, booooooom
Awards: 2025 Lucie Photo Book Prize Shortlist
Color of final product may vary slightly.
ISBN: 979-8-218-58048-3
Book: 292x216x25mm, 947 grams
Poster: 570x760mm
Pages: 172 inside in hardcover
Edition of 150, special. Only 25 available in the U.S.
All special editions are signed.
Published in 2025 by Ocotillo Press
International orders are distributed by Idea Books