Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite has passed away at the age of 85. A key figure in the 'Black is Beautiful' movement, which emerged in the 1960s, Brathwaite's work continues to captivate audiences with its powerful message of self-empowerment.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite's journey into photography was influenced by two pivotal moments. The first occurred when he was just 17 years old and encountered a haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket, which profoundly impacted him. The second moment came in 1956, after he co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), where he witnessed a young photographer capturing images without using flash, sparking his passion for photography.
Through his work, Brathwaite aimed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards, promoting instead an unapologetically Black aesthetic. He achieved this through his photographs of the Grandassa Models, a group of young Black women who embodied the spirit of 'Black is Beautiful'. This project not only celebrated their features but also played a significant role in shaping the identity of the Black community.
Brathwaite's photography extended beyond portraiture to capture moments in jazz history, including performances by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. His documentation of the 1974 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman further solidified his reputation as a photographer driven by his passion for storytelling.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus on popular Black music evolved, with commissions from artists such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His work has been recognized globally, including the exhibition of his first major institutional retrospective at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles before touring the country.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photography has continued to inspire new generations, with exhibitions like 'Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For' currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his work, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of art and photography.
As Brathwaite himself once said, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." This profound statement encapsulates his approach to photography as a means to capture the essence of human experience.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite's journey into photography was influenced by two pivotal moments. The first occurred when he was just 17 years old and encountered a haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket, which profoundly impacted him. The second moment came in 1956, after he co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), where he witnessed a young photographer capturing images without using flash, sparking his passion for photography.
Through his work, Brathwaite aimed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards, promoting instead an unapologetically Black aesthetic. He achieved this through his photographs of the Grandassa Models, a group of young Black women who embodied the spirit of 'Black is Beautiful'. This project not only celebrated their features but also played a significant role in shaping the identity of the Black community.
Brathwaite's photography extended beyond portraiture to capture moments in jazz history, including performances by Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. His documentation of the 1974 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman further solidified his reputation as a photographer driven by his passion for storytelling.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus on popular Black music evolved, with commissions from artists such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His work has been recognized globally, including the exhibition of his first major institutional retrospective at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles before touring the country.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photography has continued to inspire new generations, with exhibitions like 'Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For' currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his work, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of art and photography.
As Brathwaite himself once said, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." This profound statement encapsulates his approach to photography as a means to capture the essence of human experience.
I'm so sad to hear about Kwame Brathwaite's passing... he was an iconic figure in the 'Black is Beautiful' movement and his work still inspires me today. I love how his passion for photography and storytelling came from two powerful moments: the Emmett Till casket photo and witnessing a young photographer capturing images without flash. 
just got to hear about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85 
he was more than just a photographer, he was a movement in himself - "Black is Beautiful" still resonates with me today 
his work continues to inspire new gen's but let's be real, we're all still fighting the same battles he fought for his images of Black women & jazz legends are still giving us LIFE 
i mean, who else can say they got to capture pics of Miles Davis & Nina Simone in one lifetime? 
brathwaite's legacy is a reminder that our stories matter & we need more ppl like him pushing boundaries & challenging the status quo 
. Kwame Brathwaite's legacy is a testament to how art can transcend time and generations, leaving an indelible mark on our world 
. His dedication to capturing the beauty of Black identity and culture was truly ahead of its time 
. As he once said, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." It's a reminder that art is not just about representation, but about evoking emotions and sparking conversations 
.
. It's amazing to see how his photography has inspired new generations, and exhibitions like 'Things Well Worth Waiting For' are still going strong 
. Honestly, I'm still trying to process why Instagram doesn't have an "add to collection" feature for all historical photos like that haunting Emmett Till photo... it should be easily searchable and accessible. And the lack of interactive features on exhibitions is kinda lame. Can't they just let users zoom in on images and view more context?
i mean i'm not even kidding, the combination of the crispy crust and that rich truffle sauce is like a party in your mouth 
anyway back to kwame brathwaite... his work is so underrated, imo he was way more than just a photographer, he was a cultural icon 
anyway thats not the point... does anyone know how to delete a folder on my computer without losing all the files in it?
. And what's with all the fuss about Emmett Till? It's just one person who got killed for flirting with a white woman 
. I don't see why we need to keep celebrating this guy's work after he's gone. It's just nostalgia. And those jazz performances? Who cares, they're just old music 
.
. As a black person myself, I feel like there's still so much room for growth when it comes to representation and diversity in the art world 
?