NoodleNewt
Well-known member
The legacy of a pioneering photographer and activist has been left behind, as Kwame Brathwaite, the mastermind behind the "Black is Beautiful" movement, passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's journey was marked by his relentless pursuit of capturing the essence of Black culture through his lens.
The seeds of his artistic vision were sown in 1955, when he stumbled upon a haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket. This encounter would shape his approach to photography, as he sought to amplify the stories and experiences of Black Americans. Alongside his brother Elombe, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), which became a hub for artistic expression and activism.
Through his work, Brathwaite championed the beauty and diversity of Black culture, challenging traditional Eurocentric beauty standards. His photographs of young women, known as Grandassa Models, celebrated their natural features and helped redefine the notion of beauty in the 1960s. The concept of "Black is Beautiful" became a rallying cry for Brathwaite's work, as he sought to empower Black people through art.
Brathwaite's photography career spanned multiple decades, with notable commissions including documenting the Jackson Five's tour and photographing music legends like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder. His lens captured not only iconic moments but also intimate portraits of individuals who were pushing boundaries in their respective fields.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy continues to resonate through various exhibitions and retrospectives. The Art Institute of Chicago is currently hosting a solo exhibition of his work, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," which will run until July 24. This body of work serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Brathwaite's vision and artistry.
As news of Brathwaite's passing spread, his son announced the news in an Instagram post, expressing deep sadness at losing his father, who was "our rock and my hero." The outpouring of tributes and accolades highlights the significant influence Brathwaite had on the world of photography and beyond.
In a 2017 interview with Aperture Magazine, Brathwaite distilled his artistic philosophy to a single phrase: "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." This commitment to capturing the essence of Black culture has left an indelible mark on the world, and it is clear that Kwame Brathwaite's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
The seeds of his artistic vision were sown in 1955, when he stumbled upon a haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket. This encounter would shape his approach to photography, as he sought to amplify the stories and experiences of Black Americans. Alongside his brother Elombe, Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), which became a hub for artistic expression and activism.
Through his work, Brathwaite championed the beauty and diversity of Black culture, challenging traditional Eurocentric beauty standards. His photographs of young women, known as Grandassa Models, celebrated their natural features and helped redefine the notion of beauty in the 1960s. The concept of "Black is Beautiful" became a rallying cry for Brathwaite's work, as he sought to empower Black people through art.
Brathwaite's photography career spanned multiple decades, with notable commissions including documenting the Jackson Five's tour and photographing music legends like Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder. His lens captured not only iconic moments but also intimate portraits of individuals who were pushing boundaries in their respective fields.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy continues to resonate through various exhibitions and retrospectives. The Art Institute of Chicago is currently hosting a solo exhibition of his work, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," which will run until July 24. This body of work serves as a testament to the enduring impact of Brathwaite's vision and artistry.
As news of Brathwaite's passing spread, his son announced the news in an Instagram post, expressing deep sadness at losing his father, who was "our rock and my hero." The outpouring of tributes and accolades highlights the significant influence Brathwaite had on the world of photography and beyond.
In a 2017 interview with Aperture Magazine, Brathwaite distilled his artistic philosophy to a single phrase: "You want to get the feeling, the mood that you're experiencing when they're playing." This commitment to capturing the essence of Black culture has left an indelible mark on the world, and it is clear that Kwame Brathwaite's legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
he was all about celebrating black culture and challenging those traditional beauty standards that have been holding us back for too long 
anyway i'm sad to hear he's gone but i know his legacy is gonna keep living on in the art world 
it's amazing to see how his work has inspired so many people and i love how he talked about capturing the mood of a moment in an interview 
he was a total pioneer in capturing black culture through his lens & i'm obsessed with the idea of "black is beautiful" 
it's crazy how his photography career spanned decades from documenting famous artists to showing grandassa models rocking their natural features 
his artistry is still giving me chills 
and it's amazing that exhibitions like "things well worth waiting for" are being held to celebrate his life & work 
85 yrs young and still makin' waves with his camera that dude was a true pioneer, knew exactly how to capture the essence of black culture and make it beautiful 
Kwame Brathwaite was like the OG beauty standard setter... instead of making everyone conform to a certain look he just let Black people be themselves 
that haunting photo of Emmett Till's open casket must've been a real wake-up call for him 
i love that he had an entire community behind him like the African Jazz Arts Society 
it's so cool that his son is still sharing his dad's story and legacy 
his work is still giving me chills especially those grandassa models pics 
anyway, his legacy will definitely live on through all the exhibitions and retrospectives coming up 
I'm totally feeling like we're losing a crucial chapter in American history here... think about it, Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement maker! He used his lens to challenge the status quo and amplify Black voices, which is exactly what our society needs more of. The fact that he's leaving behind an incredible legacy of artwork that celebrates Black beauty and diversity is a testament to the power of art in shaping our cultural conversation 
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. I mean, the way he used his lens to celebrate Black culture and challenge traditional beauty standards was so ahead of its time. His work on the "Black is Beautiful" movement is still relevant today and it's amazing to see how his legacy continues to inspire new artists and activists.
. Let’s keep his legacy alive and support artists who are carrying on his work 
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Kwame Brathwaite 
and I love how he celebrated Black culture in all its forms 
! Can't believe the impact he had on photography and beyond 
his photography career was so extensive, I wonder if he got to see the full circle of how "Black is Beautiful" became a part of mainstream culture 
i mean can you imagine having to look at yourself in the mirror and see someone who doesn't even remotely resemble you being considered beautiful? no thanks. anyway, it's crazy that he's still inspiring people today and his legacy will live on through all the exhibitions and retrospectives they're doing for him. did you know about this guy before? 
and now his legacy lives on through the grandassa models, ajass, and all the iconic photos of nina simone and stevie wonder 
i'm so glad the art institute of chicago is showcasing his work right now, it's like time stood still for us to appreciate his genius again 
rest in peace, kwame 
. Kwame Brathwaite may be gone, but his legacy lives on and will continue to inspire future generations to keep pushing boundaries 
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. His pics of Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder are must-see for any music lover or art enthusiast 
. And his legacy isn't limited to the art world either; it's a reminder of the power of photography as a tool for social change.
. It's a chance for us to celebrate Brathwaite's life and artistry, and to think about all the ways he influenced us.