There have been countless fascinating documentaries about photographers: Martin Parr. Perhaps the documentary format naturally comes alive when displaying remarkably striking photographs. Now we have another exceptional example, by creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, performer and social justice champion who exemplified a special politico-aesthetic vision.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the 1960s by photographing the Harlem models in Harlem: emerging African American women who emerged as the groundbreaking standard for aesthetics, abandoning traditional grooming practices and the predominant Caucasian model of femininity.
The Power of a Revolutionary Slogan
Black Is Beautiful became a radical unifying message, an brilliant three-word declaration for change. Just to assert that African Americans possessed beauty proved to be a liberating influence in society, activism and culture. Brathwaite grew into part of the civil rights pan-Africanist struggle by documenting the sports icon prior to his legendary Zaire bout in that era.
He became the exclusive visual documentarian for the musical group's international performances, and later became the house photographer for the historic Apollo theatre, creating an incredible archive of black musicians. Alongside Elombe, he was the driving force behind securing Nelson Mandela to speak in Harlem.
Family Legacy
Brathwaite's son his namesake shares the their campaign to ensure appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was unjustly excluded in the nation's capital's cultural museum, inaugurated by the political leader in this century.
The feature additionally explores the deeply tragic origin of the artist's dedication to visual storytelling: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the teenage civil rights tragic figure whose mourning family member defiantly requested an open coffin so the violent nature of bigoted brutality could not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
In this image of horror, the artist discovered a kind of profound understanding that led him toward visual representations of beauty. His work powerfully conveyed celebratory strength and typically nuanced in approach: he developed a innovative iconography of strength around which social causes could unite.
This represents an captivating record of creative genius that persists in inspire decades later.
