Istanbul-based Ali Gulec is a graphic artist with a difference. His surreal illustrations are like identikit drawings aiming to prosecute the material arts. Working on the margins of what is possible with his medium, Gulec's forms, figures, and situations are remarkable for their clarity and strength of purpose, and maintain an iconographic intensity that would make any rock band bereft of an album cover salivate with admiration.

People take photos of blooming cherry blossoms in Washington, DC, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025. (Photo by Matt McClain/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Guillaume Rolland of France stands on the line during the Highline Extreme event in Moleson, Switzerland September 25, 2015. European best slackliners will compete until Sunday on six different lines ranging from 45 metres (148 ft) to 495 metres (1,624 ft). The 495 metres (1,624 ft) line if completed, will be the world record. (Photo by Denis Balibouse/Reuters)

Victory day celebrations in Lambeth London on May 8, 1945 as man dresses up as Hitler in a pub saluting with beer. (Photo by Trinity Mirror/Mirrorpix/Alamy Stock Photo)

East Berliners crossing into the West Berlin on November 11, 1989 at the Potsdamer Platz, Germany. (Photo by Kai Wiedenhoefer)

Models present creations from the Spring/Summer 2024 Haute Couture collection by Lebanese designer Georges Hobeika during the Paris Fashion Week, in Paris, France, 22 January 2024. The presentation of the Haute Couture collections runs from 22 to 25 January. (Photo by Christophe Petit Tesson/EPA)

A child gets his head shaved by a Buddhist monk during a ceremony to prepare children to live as Buddhist monks for three weeks at Jogyesa Temple on May 09, 2023 in Seoul, South Korea. As part of the celebration of Buddha's birthday, young children are annually invited to become Buddhist monks for a three-week period. (Photo by Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Fans of Gimnasia de La Plata choke on tear gas during a local tournament match between Gimnasia de La Plata and Boca Juniors in La Plata, Argentina, Thursday, October 6, 2022. The match was suspended after tear gas thrown by the police outside the stadium wafted inside affecting the players as well as fans who fled to the field to avoid its effects. (Photo by Gustavo Garello/AP Photo)