One Place: Paul Kwilecki and Four Decades of Photographs from Decatur County, Georgia

Documentary Arts and Culture

by Paul Kwilecki (Photographer), Tom Rankin

Though artistic and ambitious, Paul Kwilecki (1928-2009) chose to remain in Bainbridge, Georgia, the small Decatur County town where he was born, raised, and ran the family's hardware store. He had always been interested in photography and taught himself how to use a camera. Over four decades, he documented life in his community, making hundreds of masterful and intimate black-and-white prints.
Kwilecki developed his visual ideas in series of photographs of high school proms, prison hog killings, shade-tree tobacco farming, factory work, church life, the courthouse. He also wrote eloquently about the people and places he so poignantly depicted, and in this book his unique knowledge is powerfully articulated in more than 200 photographs and selected prose.
Paul Kwilecki worked alone, his correspondence with important photographers his only link to the larger art world. Despite this isolation, Kwilecki's work became widely known. "Decatur County is home," he said, "and I know it from my special warp, having been both nourished and wounded by it."

Genres: Photography, History

272 pages, Hardcover

First published April 9, 2013

Reviews

[Larraine · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read about this book in an online review and was fascinated at the idea that someone could be in such a small place and have so many wonderful photographs. It puts me to shame when I complain that I am running out of ideas. Baptisms, weddings, proms, local businesses - you name it and Mr. Kwileki photographed it. He managed the family hardware store and detested it. He wanted to be a writer and photographer but family obligations were part of his life. The photos are fascinating. I recommend the book to anyone interested in photography. I read about him in the Bitter Southerner, an online and print publication. Here's the link

https://bittersoutherner.com/paul-kwi...

[Sarah Kwilecki · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my Grandfather's book and it's a testament to his creativity and talent. I love this book and it sits on my coffee table. I always enjoy reading and looking at the pictures. Makes me feel connected to him but also to the world he evokes.

[Josh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing. Especially if you can relate to small town life in South Georgia. So many things are in his images that I had forgotten about that are now gone forever. If you come across this book, look at it closely but don't skip the text throughout. Some stories told in the text make the pictures so much more valuable and meaningful. Thanks and rest in peace, Mr. Kwilecki.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kwilecki captures the heart and soul of the people of Decatur County, Georgia. If a picture is worth a thousand words, then Kwilecki's photos are worth volumes!

Here's a link to a presentation by Rankin, the editor of the book:
https://youtu.be/AT4P0elOx9I

[Donna · Rating 4 out of 5]

VERY interesting visual and prose recording of one artist's home county in GA.