Legendary Photographer Kwame Brathwaite Dies at 85
Kwame Brathwaite, the renowned photographer behind the iconic 'Black is Beautiful' movement of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 85. His son, Kwame Jr., announced his passing on Instagram, describing him as "the patriarch of our family" and "my hero."
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's journey into photography began with two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and watching a young photographer take pictures without flash at an underground jazz club in Harlem. These encounters ignited his passion for capturing the beauty of Black culture.
Through his lens, Brathwaite documented the lives of jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone, as well as prominent figures from the Civil Rights Movement. His photographs celebrated the beauty of Black people, challenging Eurocentric standards of beauty and promoting a sense of pride and self-worth.
One of Brathwaite's most notable projects was his work with the Grandassa Models, young Black women who became icons of the 'Black is Beautiful' movement. Through these portraits, Brathwaite challenged societal norms and showcased the beauty and strength of Black women. His 1962 exhibition, "Naturally '62," featuring these models, marked a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
As his career progressed, Brathwaite continued to push boundaries, capturing iconic images of artists like Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Bob Marley. He also worked extensively in Africa, documenting the Jackson Five's tour and photographing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite remained committed to his 'Black is Beautiful' ethos, capturing the essence of Black culture through his lens. His work continues to inspire new generations of artists, photographers, and activists.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photographs have gained renewed attention, with exhibitions at institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and the Blanton Museum of Art. Despite struggling with health issues, which prevented him from participating in interviews for a 2021 profile, his legacy lives on through his enduring body of work.
Brathwaite's passing is a loss to the art world, but his photographs remain a testament to the power of beauty, pride, and self-expression.
Kwame Brathwaite, the renowned photographer behind the iconic 'Black is Beautiful' movement of the 1960s, has passed away at the age of 85. His son, Kwame Jr., announced his passing on Instagram, describing him as "the patriarch of our family" and "my hero."
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's journey into photography began with two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955, and watching a young photographer take pictures without flash at an underground jazz club in Harlem. These encounters ignited his passion for capturing the beauty of Black culture.
Through his lens, Brathwaite documented the lives of jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and Nina Simone, as well as prominent figures from the Civil Rights Movement. His photographs celebrated the beauty of Black people, challenging Eurocentric standards of beauty and promoting a sense of pride and self-worth.
One of Brathwaite's most notable projects was his work with the Grandassa Models, young Black women who became icons of the 'Black is Beautiful' movement. Through these portraits, Brathwaite challenged societal norms and showcased the beauty and strength of Black women. His 1962 exhibition, "Naturally '62," featuring these models, marked a significant moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
As his career progressed, Brathwaite continued to push boundaries, capturing iconic images of artists like Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Bob Marley. He also worked extensively in Africa, documenting the Jackson Five's tour and photographing the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite remained committed to his 'Black is Beautiful' ethos, capturing the essence of Black culture through his lens. His work continues to inspire new generations of artists, photographers, and activists.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photographs have gained renewed attention, with exhibitions at institutions like the Art Institute of Chicago and the Blanton Museum of Art. Despite struggling with health issues, which prevented him from participating in interviews for a 2021 profile, his legacy lives on through his enduring body of work.
Brathwaite's passing is a loss to the art world, but his photographs remain a testament to the power of beauty, pride, and self-expression.
at 85, thats like ancient 
for photogs. i remember him from back in the day, his pics with Miles Davis and Nina Simone are iconic 
they were def a part of that whole 'black is beautiful' vibe that was goin on in the 60s. its crazy how much impact he had on art and culture 
now his legacy lives on thru all the new gen artists and photographers he inspired 
i just wish he could've stuck around to see how far his work would've gone 
he was truly a pioneer in capturing the beauty of Black culture through his lens... I remember learning about him in photography history class and being blown away by his work "Naturally '62" is iconic 
his legacy lives on through the generations of artists and activists inspired by his photos 
rest in peace, Kwame 
Kwame Brathwaite was like a legend, no? He just left us too soon at 85 
"Black is Beautiful" was such an important movement back in the day 
Stevie Wonder, Sly Stone... the list goes on! 
. he may be gone but his legacy lives on through his photos, keepin it real and celebratin our diversity 
.
Kwame Brathwaite's legacy is still glowing bright 
he was like a superhero behind the lens, showin people that Black culture is beautiful 
, showin the world what beauty looks like without any filters or boundaries 
. He's a true icon and I'm honored we get to celebrate his life through his amazing photographs 
his photography was more than just a job - it was a way of life, and we're all better off for having seen through his eyes 
and challenging those Eurocentric standards of beauty 
and I love that his legacy continues to inspire new generations of creatives 
. kwame brathwaite was all about promoting black beauty and pride, but what about the people he didn't document? the ones who weren't "iconic" or "beautiful"? 
his work is being celebrated now because it's trendy, not because he actually cared about empowering marginalized communities 
. The way he worked with the Grandassa Models was pure genius 
, showcasing beauty and strength that went beyond just looks 
? He really captured the essence of Black culture through his lens 
. R.I.P Kwame Brathwaite, your work will continue to inspire and uplift for generations to come 
it's amazing how his work still inspires new gen after all these yrs, and i'm glad his legacy lives on thru his photography exhibitions 
especially loved the story of him capturing the grandassa models - so powerful stuff 
what was it like growing up in a family of artists and musicians? did you have any idea that your dad was going to leave such an incredible legacy behind?