ObsidianPulse
Well-known member
Legendary photographer Kwame Brathwaite has passed away at the age of 85. Born in Brooklyn to Barbadian immigrants in 1938, Brathwaite's work defined the aesthetics of the iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond.
His journey as a photographer began with two pivotal moments: encountering David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955, which sparked his interest in photography; and seeing a young man taking photos in a dark jazz club without a flash in 1956. These encounters ignited Brathwaite's passion for photography.
With the help of his Hasselblad medium-format camera and a small darkroom setup in his Harlem apartment, Brathwaite honed his craft to capture the essence of Black culture and identity. He photographed jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone during the 1950s and '60s.
Brathwaite's work not only celebrated African American beauty but also challenged Eurocentric beauty standards. In collaboration with the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), he founded the Grandassa Models in the early 1960s, which showcased young Black women embracing their natural hair.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite explored various forms of popular Black music, including traveling to Africa with the Jackson Five to document their tour. He also photographed Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other music legends.
In 2016, Brathwaite joined the Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, continuing to photograph commissions even into his later years. His work was showcased at institutions like the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, before traveling to the Art Institute of Chicago for an upcoming exhibition.
The photographer's influence extends beyond his body of work, as he helped shape a cultural narrative around Black identity and beauty. As a testament to his legacy, Brathwaite's photographs continue to inspire new generations of artists, activists, and curators alike.
His journey as a photographer began with two pivotal moments: encountering David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955, which sparked his interest in photography; and seeing a young man taking photos in a dark jazz club without a flash in 1956. These encounters ignited Brathwaite's passion for photography.
With the help of his Hasselblad medium-format camera and a small darkroom setup in his Harlem apartment, Brathwaite honed his craft to capture the essence of Black culture and identity. He photographed jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone during the 1950s and '60s.
Brathwaite's work not only celebrated African American beauty but also challenged Eurocentric beauty standards. In collaboration with the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), he founded the Grandassa Models in the early 1960s, which showcased young Black women embracing their natural hair.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite explored various forms of popular Black music, including traveling to Africa with the Jackson Five to document their tour. He also photographed Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other music legends.
In 2016, Brathwaite joined the Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, continuing to photograph commissions even into his later years. His work was showcased at institutions like the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, before traveling to the Art Institute of Chicago for an upcoming exhibition.
The photographer's influence extends beyond his body of work, as he helped shape a cultural narrative around Black identity and beauty. As a testament to his legacy, Brathwaite's photographs continue to inspire new generations of artists, activists, and curators alike.
what a legend Kwame Brathwaite was I mean have you seen those old pics he took of jazz legends back in the day? it's like time travel lol 
he really helped shape the way we think about black identity and beauty now his work is still inspiring new people to this day which is amazing 
The passing of Kwame Brathwaite at the ripe age of 85 is a poignant reminder of the immense contributions he made to the realm of photography 
. As an icon of the 'Black is Beautiful' movement, his work not only subverted Eurocentric beauty standards but also served as a powerful catalyst for self-expression and identity exploration among Black communities 
. His meticulous attention to detail, coupled with his passion for capturing the essence of jazz legends and African American culture, resulted in a body of work that continues to inspire and educate new generations 
. It's truly fitting that Brathwaite's photographs are being showcased at esteemed institutions such as the Art Institute of Chicago, ensuring his legacy endures long after his passing 
.
Kwame Brathwaite's story is so inspiring! I mean, can you believe he started taking pics at 17? 
. his work still holds up today & it's crazy to think about how much impact he had on the way we see beauty in black culture 
. i mean, "black is beautiful" wasn't just a slogan back then - it was a movement 
. and kwame's photography was always at the forefront of that movement. from capturing the essence of jazz legends to showcasing young black women embracing their natural hair 
... he did it all with such style & purpose.
. and it's amazing how he was able to bridge the gap between art & activism, even back in the day 
.
, Kwame Brathwaite was like the OG photographer when it comes to celebrating black culture and identity 
. I wish we could learn from his example and keep pushing for a world where everyone can feel beautiful and celebrated no matter what their skin tone is 
. He wasn't afraid to challenge those Eurocentric beauty standards and instead showed us the power of self-love and acceptance 
He was definitely one of the key players in makin that happen! His legacy lives on through all the young artists, activists, and curators he inspired 
Kwame Brathwaite's passing is like losing a piece of history 
. We can still learn so much from him, even though he's no longer with us