History has seen numerous fascinating films about photographers: Vivian Maier. Maybe the film medium truly excels when showcasing exceptionally powerful photographs. Now arrives a new remarkable example, from creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and social justice champion who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist perspective.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by photographing the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: young African American women who became the groundbreaking standard for beauty, abandoning conventional cosmetic products and the predominant white model of womanhood.
The Power of Three Words
This powerful statement transformed into a transformative unifying message, an brilliant three-word manifesto for transformation. Simply stating that African Americans were beautiful became a transformative power in society, activism and culture. The artist grew into a key figure in the civil rights African diaspora movement by capturing images of the legendary boxer prior to his iconic Zaire bout in that era.
He became the exclusive visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's international performances, and eventually became the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, assembling an incredible collection of musical pioneers. Alongside his brother, he was the central figure behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to speak in New York.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son Kwame Jr recounts the their quest to ensure appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was painfully excluded in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by the political leader in this century.
The feature further reveals the profoundly sorrowful inspiration of Brathwaite's dedication to visual storytelling: the horrendous photographs of Emmett Till, the teenage civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member boldly demanded an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of bigoted brutality would not be concealed.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
Through this representation of violence, Brathwaite found a type of anti-epiphany that led him toward images of beauty. His work were eloquent of empowering beauty and frequently not overtly political: he established a fresh iconography of empowerment through which activist groups could unite.
It is an captivating chronicle of creative genius that continues to inspire across generations.