Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite, a pivotal figure in the 'Black is Beautiful' movement of the 1960s and beyond, passed away on April 1 at the age of 85.
Born in Brooklyn in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite's exposure to brutalized Emmett Till's open-casket image in 1955 had a profound impact on his work. He also drew inspiration from witnessing a photographer capturing images without flash in a dark jazz club. This experience sparked his passion for photography and led him to hone his skills with a Hasselblad medium-format camera.
Through the lens of his Hasselblad, Brathwaite began documenting the lives of young Black women, known as the Grandassa Models, who were embracing their natural hair. The models would go on to inspire the concept of 'Naturally '62', an annual fashion show held in Harlem that continued until 1992.
Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane to capturing popular Black music icons such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Sly and the Family Stone. In 1974, he traveled to Africa with the Jackson Five to document their tour and photographed the historic 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's photographs celebrated and accentuated Black beauty, pushing back against whitewashed Eurocentric standards. His work continues to be the subject of interest from curators, historians, and collectors, with his first major institutional retrospective debuting at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019.
As Brathwaite's health began to decline, he remained committed to his craft, taking commissions until as recently as 2018. A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24.
The legacy of Kwame Brathwaite lives on through the countless individuals whose images he captured, and his work continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists. His contributions to the 'Black is Beautiful' movement have left an indelible mark on the world of photography and beyond.
Born in Brooklyn in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite's exposure to brutalized Emmett Till's open-casket image in 1955 had a profound impact on his work. He also drew inspiration from witnessing a photographer capturing images without flash in a dark jazz club. This experience sparked his passion for photography and led him to hone his skills with a Hasselblad medium-format camera.
Through the lens of his Hasselblad, Brathwaite began documenting the lives of young Black women, known as the Grandassa Models, who were embracing their natural hair. The models would go on to inspire the concept of 'Naturally '62', an annual fashion show held in Harlem that continued until 1992.
Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane to capturing popular Black music icons such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Sly and the Family Stone. In 1974, he traveled to Africa with the Jackson Five to document their tour and photographed the historic 'Rumble in the Jungle' boxing match.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's photographs celebrated and accentuated Black beauty, pushing back against whitewashed Eurocentric standards. His work continues to be the subject of interest from curators, historians, and collectors, with his first major institutional retrospective debuting at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019.
As Brathwaite's health began to decline, he remained committed to his craft, taking commissions until as recently as 2018. A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24.
The legacy of Kwame Brathwaite lives on through the countless individuals whose images he captured, and his work continues to inspire a new generation of artists and activists. His contributions to the 'Black is Beautiful' movement have left an indelible mark on the world of photography and beyond.
... I mean, can we confirm he really passed away on April 1? That's a pretty specific date, you'd think it'd be a more official announcement 
... anyway, his legacy is definitely something to celebrate 
. But let's talk about the 'Black is Beautiful' movement... how did this "naturally" occur in the 60s without any prior context or representation? What led to these young Black women embracing their natural hair? Was it a social experiment or just a coincidence? 
I need some sources on that! 
I think it's a shame he didn't just sell more photos during his lifetime, you know? 
He was always so focused on making a statement with his work, but sometimes I think that can be hard to do when you're still breathing. 
Like, why not take some pics of the Grandassa Models and make a quick buck while you've got the chance? 
But nope, he had to keep it all about the movement and the message... and honestly, it's kinda cool that way? 
It's wild to think about all the people he photographed over the years, from Nina Simone to the Jackson Five... what a legacy! 
And it's not like he was just taking pics for the sake of taking pics, either - his work was always about celebrating Black beauty and pushing back against the status quo. That takes courage, you know? 
I'm gonna miss seeing more of his stuff on the internet... but at least we can keep looking at all the amazing photos he left behind 
He was more than just a photographer, he was a messenger for the beauty and power of Black identity. His work not only broke down Eurocentric standards but also paved the way for other creatives to express themselves authentically. The 'Black is Beautiful' movement might have started back in the 60s, but Kwame's impact is still felt today 
. his work was way ahead of its time, especially when it came to the 'naturally 62' movement 
. i wish i could've seen more of his stuff, guess ill just have to check out the exhibitions he had 
Kwame Brathwaite's legacy lives on through the power of his images 
He was more than just a photographer, he was a voice for Black beauty and self-love 
His work still inspires us today to celebrate our individuality and reject the norms that try to hold us back 
What I find really beautiful is how his photography brought light to the lives of young Black women who were embracing their natural hair 
We need more people like Kwame Brathwaite in this world, spreading love and positivity through art 
. His legacy lives on and it's so inspiring to see how his work continues to make a difference today 
.
. He also captured some amazing images of legendary musicians like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder 
. It's crazy that he was still working on commissions until 2018, his passion for photography just never faded 
. 85 was old for someone still looking fly in pics 
. His work is a reminder that Black beauty is timeless, not just a trend 
. His legacy lives on through all those beautiful pics he took 
. He worked with the Jackson Five and captured Stevie Wonder and Nina Simone... so many legendary artists 
.
. I'm not surprised though, 85's old for any human, let alone someone who's been as passionate about their craft as Kwame Brathwaite was