You're Not Really Initiate Until Your Eyes Are Redder Than Your Lips.

You're Not Really Initiate Until Your Eyes Are Redder Than Your Lips. One Picture Book #15. Photographs by Don Kirby. Nazraeli Press, Tucson, 2002. 16pp., 7 duotone plates, 1 original print., 5½x7¼". Limited to 500 numbered and signed copies. Images from photo-eye.

One Picture Book is an ongoing series of limited edition artists' books published by Nazraeli Press, which I've previously written about here, here and here for example

The artist is asked to create a book based on one image or series of connected images, from their previous work. The hardcover edition is limited to 500 and contains an original print by the artist.


' You're Not Really Initiate Until Your Eyes Are Redder Than Your Lips' contains the work of photographer Don Kirby.

While Kirby was working on his Wheatcountry-series "he photographed a now-deserted schoolhouse and became fascinated by the generations of graffiti scrawled upon its walls.

As is so often the case, some of the most meaningful comments in - and on - life are to found in places where they are not expected. Kirby’s black-and-white photographs immortalize pearls of profundity that would more usually inspire removal than recording: the book’s title, for example, or the equally delicious 'There have been no dragons in my life, only spiders and girls . . . I could have coped with dragons'."

Of the book Kirby writes: “Printing the graffiti, I became much more aware of the significance this place has for me and the importance I attach to saying something about it.

The 'Wheatcountry' book was completed by the essays, which were needed to convey aspects the photographs miss. This statement is complete in the photographs."


Both quotes from here.