History has seen countless compelling features focusing on image makers: Martin Parr. Perhaps the film medium truly excels when presenting remarkably striking photographs. Now we have a new exceptional case, from creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, performer and civil rights advocate who exemplified a unique cultural-activist vision.
Alongside his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the sixties by documenting the Grandassa Models in New York: youthful women of color who emerged as the groundbreaking archetype for visual appeal, abandoning traditional beauty standards and the predominant white standard of female beauty.
The Influence of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful became a transformative call to action, an inspired concise manifesto for progress. Merely stating that black people possessed beauty proved to be a liberating influence in society, politics and culture. Brathwaite grew into part of the social justice pan-Africanist cause by capturing images of the sports icon before his legendary championship fight in 1974.
He became the primary visual documentarian for the musical group's international performances, and eventually assumed the role of the official visual chronicler for the iconic cultural institution, creating an amazing collection of black musicians. Alongside his sibling, he became the driving force behind bringing the South African leader to appear in New York.
Historical Recognition
His son his namesake is interviewed the their campaign to ensure appropriate credit for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully ignored in the prestigious cultural museum, opened by Barack Obama in recent years.
This documentary also recounts the inexpressibly painful inspiration of the artist's interest in image making: the horrendous photographs of Emmett Till, the teenage civil rights lynching victim whose bereaved parent boldly insisted on an public viewing so the violent nature of bigoted brutality might not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Beauty
In this image of tragedy, the artist found a type of transformative realization that led him toward images of aspiration. His images beautifully expressed empowering beauty and often not overtly political: he developed a innovative symbolic representation of pride upon which political movements could unite.
It is an captivating chronicle of artistic vision that persists in empower decades later.
