Turkey and Syria’s current pure catastrophe has put these nations entrance and middle within the information. Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu (aka Gürbüz) is a celebrated Turkish cartoonist, graphic designer, instructor and painter (b. 1954) who has been posting day by day Instagram pictures for over a decade. For the reason that earthquake devastated the area final week, he continues to submit imagery depicting the horrible occasion and ensuing lack of life as a approach to present solidarity along with his nation and its individuals.
Gürbüz has been drawing cartoons since 1977. He has had 9 solo exhibitions, together with one in New York Metropolis, and his work has appeared on 5 New Yorker covers, and in varied newspapers and magazines, akin to Forbes, The Atlantic and The New York Occasions. I reached him in Istanbul by means of his translator, Ozlem Mutaf Buyukarman. I had been planning a function on Gürbüz previous to the present tragedy, however his presence on this web site is much more poignant in view of what has occurred.
Pure catastrophe is aware of no boundaries.
How lengthy have you ever been posting your illustrations on-line?
With the widespread use of Fb within the 2010s, I began to attract and share drawings on present problems with that point. I used to be motivated by the curiosity of my followers. In April 2014, I had an exhibition of 192 works I drew just for Fb, and it lasted for 2 months. After Instagram got here out, I’ve been sharing my drawings there, as nicely, the place I even have 136,000 followers.
Earlier than social media, how did your work get distributed?
Earlier than social media, I used to be engaged on oil and acrylic on canvas for a number of exhibitions. On the similar time, I used to be doing illustrations for promoting companies and print media.
Your work is commentary on present considerations and points. Would you establish your self as a “cartoonist”?
I profit quite a bit from the creativity and intelligence of the cartoon (I acquired many awards in nationwide and worldwide cartoon competitions for some time). I profit from the values of illustration and portray; I’ve by no means labored as a cartoonist in a newspaper or {a magazine}, thus I take into account myself an illustrator slightly than a cartoonist.
The language of surrealism spreads by means of your work. The place did you study it?
I used to be influenced by Milton Glaser and Turkish graphic designer Mengü Ertel throughout my highschool years. Whereas finding out on the College of Utilized Superb Arts, Division of Graphic Arts (a Bauhaus College, now Marmara College School of Superb Arts) … I used to be influenced by many artists akin to Folon, Fukuda, Turkish cartoonists Turhan Selçuk, Ali Ulvi Ersoy (his caricature was printed within the New Yorker journal between 1952–1954). I used to be additionally influenced by graphic artists in magazines akin to Graphis, Novum, PRINT, Concept.
In lots of nations the place there’s press limitation, surrealism has been a technique of getting round restrictions. Have you ever had any issues with the reception of your work?
Since I don’t draw for print media, I’ve not confronted any strain but. However, I’ve been presenting self-censorship in recent times. I can not draw as boldly as earlier than.
How has the large earthquake impacted your work and the frequency of your posting?
It’s mentioned to be the second-largest earthquake on the planet. 13.5 million individuals dwelling in 10 cities had been affected by the earthquake; the variety of destroyed buildings could be very excessive and tens of 1000’s of persons are ready to be rescued below the rubble.
We’re very unhappy as a rustic. I believe that the artist ought to doc the interval through which he lives. For the reason that earthquake occurred, at present is the eighth day, and I’ve shared 16 drawings on social media (Instagram, Fb and Twitter).
