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.

Recent press: Roads & Kingdom, booooooom

Product images made by Clayton Hauck and Jack Garland of Realm. Color of final product may vary slightly.

ISBN: 979-8-218-58048-3

Book: 292x216x25mm, 947 grams

Poster: 570 x 760mm

Pages: 172 inside in hardcover

Edition of 750, first edition

Published in 2025 by Ocotillo Press

We are not currently offering international shipping options.

Stocklists:

Baltimore Photo Space - Baltimore, MD

Realm - Chicago, IL

Photo-Eye - Santa Fe, NM

Brave Books - El Paso, TM

Green Library - Stanford University, CA

Upcoming Events:

July 20, 2025 - Realm in Chicago, IL @ 10AM-2PM - book signing

August 23, 2025 - Monroe Gallery in Santa Fe, NM @ 5 PM - book talk & discussion

September 3, 2025 - Visa Pour l'image in Perpignan, FR - book signing

September 25, 2025 - The Falstaff in El Paso, TX - book launch & gallery