A Compositional Approach to Illustrator Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu's Cat Image Magazine Covers İllüstratör Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu’nun Kedi İmgeli Dergi Kapaklarına Kompozisyon Açısından Bir Yaklaşım
Art and Interpretation, vol.2025, no.45, pp.164-173, 2025 (Scopus, TRDizin)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 2025 Issue: 45
- Publication Date: 2025
- Doi Number: 10.47571/sanatyorum.1522970
- Journal Name: Art and Interpretation
- Journal Indexes: Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Page Numbers: pp.164-173
- Keywords: cat, Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu, illustration, magazine covers
- Eskisehir Osmangazi University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
Illustrations are visual representations that are created to make newspaper or magazine texts concrete. Turkish graphic designer Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu has developed his design perspective by combining the humorous approach of caricatures with his illustrations. Ekşioğlu, who has national and international recognition, has received numerous awards. Additionally, he is well known for his works in caricatures, illustrations, and magazine cover designs. A review of the literature on Gürbüz Doğan Ekşioğlu revealed that his works with magazine covers have not been adequately examined, which constitutes the primary rationale behind this study. The aim of the current study is to serve as a reference for future studies on this subject. The study holds a unique position due to the lack of research on magazine covers. The research methodology includes interviews as qualitative research techniques, semiotics, descriptive analysis, and content analysis. The cat image is one of the recurring themes in Ekşioğlu’s works. The artist has stated that the aesthetic structure and independent nature of cats are the primary reasons why artists admire them. Ekşioğlu has created 15 cat-themed cover illustrations for The New Yorker and MediaCat magazines. In this study, six of Ekşioğlu’s magazine cover illustrations were analyzed and interpreted in terms of design elements such as topic, technique, line, tone, texture, stain, figure-background, composition, proportion, color, and style. Creating works using both traditional and digital techniques, Ekşioğlu addresses contemporary issues and demonstrates his sensitivity by not remaining silent on social matters.