Kwame Brathwaite, the renowned photographer behind the iconic 'Black is Beautiful' movement, has passed away at the age of 85. His son announced the news on Instagram, stating that his father had "transitioned."
Throughout his illustrious career, Brathwaite's work has garnered increasing attention from curators, historians, and collectors, with his first major institutional retrospective taking place in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring the country.
Born to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn in 1938, Brathwaite developed an affinity for photography at a young age. His journey began when he stumbled upon David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and later, witnessing a photographer capturing images without flash in a dark jazz club in 1956.
Utilizing his Hasselblad camera, Brathwaite honed his craft to capture the beauty of Black skin, experimenting with techniques that enriched the narrative of his work. He photographed numerous jazz legends throughout the 1950s and '60s, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others.
One of Brathwaite's most notable contributions was his involvement in the "Grandassa Models" – young Black women whom he would photograph to celebrate their features. In 1962, Brathwaite organized a fashion show at Harlem's Purple Manor featuring the models, an event that continued until 1992.
As Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to other forms of popular Black music in the 1970s, his commissions took him to Africa and the United States. He documented the Jackson Five's tour in Africa, the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and photographed notable musicians like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and more.
Throughout his decades-long career, Brathwaite remained committed to his vision of 'Black is Beautiful,' capturing powerful images that continue to inspire and educate new generations. His most recent photographic endeavors, including commissions for The New Yorker in 2018, demonstrate his ongoing dedication to the movement he co-founded with his brother Elombe.
In 2021, a profile published by T Magazine highlighted Brathwaite's retrospective traveling to the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas. An exhibition of his work, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago until July 24.
As news of Brathwaite's passing spreads, the photography community and fans of his work are mourning the loss of a true icon. His legacy will live on through the countless images he captured, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of art and culture.
Throughout his illustrious career, Brathwaite's work has garnered increasing attention from curators, historians, and collectors, with his first major institutional retrospective taking place in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring the country.
Born to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn in 1938, Brathwaite developed an affinity for photography at a young age. His journey began when he stumbled upon David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and later, witnessing a photographer capturing images without flash in a dark jazz club in 1956.
Utilizing his Hasselblad camera, Brathwaite honed his craft to capture the beauty of Black skin, experimenting with techniques that enriched the narrative of his work. He photographed numerous jazz legends throughout the 1950s and '60s, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others.
One of Brathwaite's most notable contributions was his involvement in the "Grandassa Models" – young Black women whom he would photograph to celebrate their features. In 1962, Brathwaite organized a fashion show at Harlem's Purple Manor featuring the models, an event that continued until 1992.
As Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to other forms of popular Black music in the 1970s, his commissions took him to Africa and the United States. He documented the Jackson Five's tour in Africa, the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman, and photographed notable musicians like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and more.
Throughout his decades-long career, Brathwaite remained committed to his vision of 'Black is Beautiful,' capturing powerful images that continue to inspire and educate new generations. His most recent photographic endeavors, including commissions for The New Yorker in 2018, demonstrate his ongoing dedication to the movement he co-founded with his brother Elombe.
In 2021, a profile published by T Magazine highlighted Brathwaite's retrospective traveling to the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas. An exhibition of his work, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago until July 24.
As news of Brathwaite's passing spreads, the photography community and fans of his work are mourning the loss of a true icon. His legacy will live on through the countless images he captured, leaving behind an indelible mark on the world of art and culture.
Kwame Brathwaite was a truly innovative photographer who helped redefine what beauty meant to people. He didn't hold back in his photos, even when it made others uncomfortable - which is why I think that's so admirable about him 
. The way he celebrated Black skin and culture, especially through his 'Black is Beautiful' movement, should be more than just acknowledged... we need to learn from him 
. I've been lucky enough to see some of his work in person and it's breathtakingly powerful 
. As a photography community comes together to remember him, let's also take this opportunity to appreciate the impact he had on art and culture 
. And it's crazy to think about how his work has been gaining so much attention in recent years - like, major museums are showcasing his stuff now 
. I'm gonna miss seeing what he comes up with next 
. The fact that he left us 'transitioning' is...different, but I guess it's a part of who he was 
. He will always be remembered as one of the most important photographers of our time 
.
... Kwame Brathwaite's passing is like losing a piece of history, you know? but his work lives on & that's what matters 
... it's crazy to think about how much his pics influenced generations to come 
... and can u believe he was still shooting till 2018 for The New Yorker? that's dedication, fam 
... his work will continue to inspire & educate us for years to come 
what's up with them saying he "transitioned" tho? that sounds like some weird code 
my grandma would've said somethin' real but kinda rude, like 'he just left us man 
' or 'he went to the great jazz club in the sky 
' anyway, Kwame Brathwaite was the real deal, no one can top his pics of Black skin and jazz legends 
️. His commitment to 'Black is Beautiful' remains a powerful testament to the impact one person can have on shaping cultural narratives 
.
. gotta respect the man's impact on photography & the 'Black is Beautiful' movement 
. he was more than just a photographer, he was a storyteller & a documentarian who captured the essence of Black culture in the 50s-60s 
and it made me think about how much i love those quirky characters and their fashion sense 
Kwame Brathwaite's photography was all about celebrating beauty in unexpected places, kinda like the whimsical world of Wes Anderson's films 
anyway, reading about his life is really inspiring, but have you ever noticed how some photographers just capture the essence of a moment without even realizing it? 
.
. His work was never just about taking pictures – it was about spreading a message of self-love and empowerment 
. And now, with his passing, it feels like we're losing a piece of our collective history... but at the same time, I'm reminded that his legacy lives on through his work - inspiring new generations to see the world in a different way 
.
. his work was more than just pics - it was a movement 
. can't believe we lost him at 85 
. rest in peace kwame, your legacy lives on through the countless young artists and activists who've been inspired by your work