Legendary Photographer Kwame Brathwaite Dies at 85, Leaving Behind a Legacy of Beauty and Resistance
Kwame Brathwaite, the pioneering photographer behind the iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement, has passed away at the age of 85. His work, which spanned over five decades, continues to inspire and influence artists, curators, and collectors alike.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's journey as a photographer began with two pivotal moments: encountering David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and witnessing a young man taking photos without flash at a jazz club in 1956. This exposure fueled his passion for photography and led him to develop his own unique style, which he honed in his small Harlem apartment darkroom.
Throughout the 1960s, Brathwaite's photography became synonymous with the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which sought to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards and promote African American self-love. His work featured models such as the Grandassa Girls, who celebrated their natural hair and features. In 1962, he organized the first "Naturally '62" fashion show in Harlem, an event that would go on to be held regularly until 1992.
Brathwaite's collaborations with jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone further solidified his reputation as a photographer of African American culture. He also captured the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974.
As Brathwaite's focus shifted to other forms of popular Black music, he continued to explore and develop his photographic style. In 2016, he joined the Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, and his work remained relevant until 2018, when he shot a commission for The New Yorker.
A retrospective of Brathwaite's work is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24. The photographer's legacy extends beyond his stunning images; it represents a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of resistance and self-love that has defined African American culture for generations.
Brathwaite's passing leaves behind a void in the art world, but his work continues to inspire new generations of artists, curators, and collectors. His photographs serve as a reminder of the importance of celebrating diversity and challenging societal norms. As he once said, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing."
Kwame Brathwaite, the pioneering photographer behind the iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement, has passed away at the age of 85. His work, which spanned over five decades, continues to inspire and influence artists, curators, and collectors alike.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's journey as a photographer began with two pivotal moments: encountering David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and witnessing a young man taking photos without flash at a jazz club in 1956. This exposure fueled his passion for photography and led him to develop his own unique style, which he honed in his small Harlem apartment darkroom.
Throughout the 1960s, Brathwaite's photography became synonymous with the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which sought to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards and promote African American self-love. His work featured models such as the Grandassa Girls, who celebrated their natural hair and features. In 1962, he organized the first "Naturally '62" fashion show in Harlem, an event that would go on to be held regularly until 1992.
Brathwaite's collaborations with jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone further solidified his reputation as a photographer of African American culture. He also captured the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974.
As Brathwaite's focus shifted to other forms of popular Black music, he continued to explore and develop his photographic style. In 2016, he joined the Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, and his work remained relevant until 2018, when he shot a commission for The New Yorker.
A retrospective of Brathwaite's work is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24. The photographer's legacy extends beyond his stunning images; it represents a powerful testament to the enduring spirit of resistance and self-love that has defined African American culture for generations.
Brathwaite's passing leaves behind a void in the art world, but his work continues to inspire new generations of artists, curators, and collectors. His photographs serve as a reminder of the importance of celebrating diversity and challenging societal norms. As he once said, "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing."
sad to see another icon go but his legacy lives on through his work which is still giving us all the feels today. i mean can u imagine growing up in harlem with no representation in media? that's what inspired him to capture beauty on film and challenge those eurocentric standards of beauty 
. his photos are more than just images, they're a testament to the resilience and self-love of african americans throughout history 
. i wish he was still with us to see how his work continues to influence artists and inspire new generations 
. but even though he's gone, his spirit lives on through his art 
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i mean, who else can say they were part of the "black is beautiful" crew back in the day? 
and can we talk about his collabs with jazz legends? miles davis, john coltrane... what a legacy! 
like, that's when it all started. anyway, the art institute of chicago is showing a retrospective right now - gotta check it out! 
, his work is still so iconic & beautiful, but i feel like we're losing a part of our history. he was more than just a photographer, he was a curator of black excellence and resistance 
. i wish people would continue the conversation he started, not just looking at his pictures but also trying to live out the message of self-love and acceptance he spread through his work 
. Anyway, his retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago is definitely worth checking out if you're into photography and history... it's like stepping into a different era 
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BUT SERIOUSLY, KWAME WAS A TRUE ARTIST & HIS WORK IS GOING TO BE REMEMBERED FOR GENERATIONS TO COME 
Kwame Brathwaite's legacy is indeed huge but I'm not sure how much impact his work had on the mainstream art world...I mean, it was all about "Black is Beautiful" and natural hair back in the day, which is cool, but didn't that kinda get old after a while? 
. It's like he knew what we're talking about now - self-love and celebrating diversity 
. His photos are more than just pictures, they're a testament to the power of African American culture and resistance 
.
can't believe he's no longer with us but his art lives on and will continue to empower future generations 
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it's crazy to think that he was behind the iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement back in the day. i can imagine him being super passionate about promoting self-love and diversity, especially during a time when that wasn't as accepted 
his collabs with jazz legends are straight fire too - i wish i could've seen some of those shoots 
from "Black is Beautiful" to capturing the essence of jazz legends like Miles Davis & Nina Simone, his pics are not only stunning but also tell a powerful story 
I mean, 85 is old, right? But Kwame Brathwaite's work still looks fresh! I bet his darkroom skills are still better than mine 
. Seriously though, his legacy is a beautiful thing – who doesn't love a good "Black is Beautiful" movement? 
Just kidding! His work is an amazing tribute to African American culture and self-love. We need more of that in our lives 
. Anyway, can you imagine attending a "Naturally '62" fashion show? That sounds like so much fun!