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Kwame Brathwaite, the Pioneering Voice of "Black is Beautiful," Passes Away at 85
At the age of 85, Kwame Brathwaite, a visionary photographer and activist who played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetics of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, has left an indelible mark on the world. His legacy continues to inspire artists, historians, and collectors alike.
Born in 1938, Brathwaite was born to Barbadian immigrants in what he referred to as "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," but grew up in Harlem and later the South Bronx. It was here that he found his passion for photography, influenced by a haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket and a chance encounter with a photographer capturing intimate moments without flash. He co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe in 1956, marking the beginning of a creative journey that would span decades.
Through his work, Brathwaite sought to challenge the dominant Eurocentric beauty standards of the time, instead celebrating the beauty of Black skin. His Grandassa Models project, which featured young Black women embracing their natural hair and features, became an iconic representation of the "Black is Beautiful" ethos. The movement, launched in 1962 with AJASS's "Naturally '62" fashion show, would continue to inspire generations to come.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's lens captured some of the biggest names in jazz, including Miles Davis and John Coltrane, as well as music legends like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His photographs also told stories of resilience and identity, often using vibrant colors and intimate settings to convey a sense of community and belonging.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with his first major institutional retrospective taking place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019. The exhibition was followed by stops at institutions across the country, solidifying his position as one of the most important photographers of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
Despite struggling with declining health, Brathwaite continued to create until the end, completing commissions as recently as 2018 for publications like The New Yorker. His most recent 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.
With his passing, the art world mourns the loss of a visionary who helped redefine what beauty means to Black people and beyond. Kwame Brathwaite's legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of his work, and we can only hope that future generations will continue to find inspiration in his photographs, which will undoubtedly remain an integral part of our shared cultural heritage for years to come.
At the age of 85, Kwame Brathwaite, a visionary photographer and activist who played a pivotal role in shaping the aesthetics of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, has left an indelible mark on the world. His legacy continues to inspire artists, historians, and collectors alike.
Born in 1938, Brathwaite was born to Barbadian immigrants in what he referred to as "the People's Republic of Brooklyn," but grew up in Harlem and later the South Bronx. It was here that he found his passion for photography, influenced by a haunting image of Emmett Till's open casket and a chance encounter with a photographer capturing intimate moments without flash. He co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe in 1956, marking the beginning of a creative journey that would span decades.
Through his work, Brathwaite sought to challenge the dominant Eurocentric beauty standards of the time, instead celebrating the beauty of Black skin. His Grandassa Models project, which featured young Black women embracing their natural hair and features, became an iconic representation of the "Black is Beautiful" ethos. The movement, launched in 1962 with AJASS's "Naturally '62" fashion show, would continue to inspire generations to come.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's lens captured some of the biggest names in jazz, including Miles Davis and John Coltrane, as well as music legends like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His photographs also told stories of resilience and identity, often using vibrant colors and intimate settings to convey a sense of community and belonging.
In recent years, Brathwaite's work has experienced a resurgence in popularity, with his first major institutional retrospective taking place at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019. The exhibition was followed by stops at institutions across the country, solidifying his position as one of the most important photographers of the "Black is Beautiful" movement.
Despite struggling with declining health, Brathwaite continued to create until the end, completing commissions as recently as 2018 for publications like The New Yorker. His most recent 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.
With his passing, the art world mourns the loss of a visionary who helped redefine what beauty means to Black people and beyond. Kwame Brathwaite's legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring impact of his work, and we can only hope that future generations will continue to find inspiration in his photographs, which will undoubtedly remain an integral part of our shared cultural heritage for years to come.
. As someone who's grown up surrounded by images of beauty and identity, it's hard to put into words just how much his work has influenced me. The way he challenged these Eurocentric standards and instead celebrated the natural beauty of Black skin is something that I think we're still feeling today.
. But his legacy will live on - in the photographs that continue to inspire us, in the stories he told, and in the way we think about beauty and identity today 
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just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing... feels like a loss of a chapter in history 
. His work is still so relevant today & it's crazy how much of an impact he had on the way we think about beauty and identity 
he was literally the OG "black is beautiful" guy and it's crazy that he's not around anymore. all those iconic photos of miley, stevie wonder, nina simone... what a legacy 
. As a photographer who challenged dominant Eurocentric beauty standards with his vibrant and intimate portraits of Black subjects, Brathwaite's work serves as a testament to the power of representation and self-expression 
. With his recent exhibitions and commissions, Brathwaite proved that his vision was timeless and his impact would be felt long after his passing 
. The art world will miss him dearly, but we are left with a treasure trove of his photographs as a reminder of his enduring legacy 
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85 is old for anyone, but Kwame Brathwaite lived a life full of color & passion 
He was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
His work still inspires us today, showing us that Black beauty is the most beautiful thing to see 
We gotta give it up for him & his legacy that will live on forever 
. He was such a pioneer in challenging traditional beauty standards and celebrating the beauty of Black skin 
. I think his legacy is so important, especially with how his work continues to inspire new generations 
it feels like progress is so slow sometimes.
I'm having some doubts about this Kwame Brathwaite guy... I mean, 85 is old for a photographer, and what's up with all the praise? 
Is it just because he was involved in the "Black is Beautiful" movement or was it actually his work that made him important? 
I need some sources on this. What exactly did he contribute to art besides making Black people look pretty? 
. I mean, who else was bold enough to show Black women with their natural hair unapologetically? It's crazy to think about how far we've come since then 
. I'm gonna make sure to check out that retrospective at the Art Institute of Chicago soon 
. His legacy will definitely live on and inspire future generations 
... 85 year olds is pretty old, right? I mean, you'd think someone who's been around as long as kwame would've learned to slow down a bit. but nope, he just kept truckin' till the end. I'm sure his health issues were super fun to deal with 
. and now we get to pay tribute to another dead icon... how original 
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I'm feeling really down about this... Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement