Kwame Brathwaite, the photographer who helped define the iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away at the age of 85. Born in Brooklyn to Barbadian immigrants in 1938, Brathwaite's journey as a pioneering activist and photographer was marked by his unwavering commitment to celebrating Black identity.
Brathwaite's fascination with photography began at the tender age of 17, when he encountered David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in an open casket. This encounter would later become a pivotal moment in shaping his artistic vision. His passion for photography soon led him to co-found the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where he began capturing images of young Black women who embodied his concept of "Black is Beautiful."
One of these models, Sikolo, whom Brathwaite married in 1966, would become an enduring symbol of his photography. Through his work, Brathwaite sought to challenge the Eurocentric beauty standards that had long dominated the art world. His photographs not only celebrated Black beauty but also told stories of resilience and strength.
Over the years, Brathwaite's artistic scope expanded to include jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, as well as iconic musicians such as Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder. He was also invited to photograph the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus remained steadfast on the core principles of his photography: celebrating Black identity and capturing the essence of music. His work continued to inspire generations of artists and activists, ensuring that his legacy will endure for years to come.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photography has experienced a resurgence in interest, with retrospectives at institutions such as the Aperture Foundation, Skirball Cultural Center, Blanton Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite struggling with health issues, Brathwaite continued to create until his passing.
Today, we remember Kwame Brathwaite as a visionary photographer who left an indelible mark on our understanding of Black beauty and identity. His work serves as a testament to the power of art to inspire change and challenge societal norms.
Brathwaite's fascination with photography began at the tender age of 17, when he encountered David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in an open casket. This encounter would later become a pivotal moment in shaping his artistic vision. His passion for photography soon led him to co-found the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where he began capturing images of young Black women who embodied his concept of "Black is Beautiful."
One of these models, Sikolo, whom Brathwaite married in 1966, would become an enduring symbol of his photography. Through his work, Brathwaite sought to challenge the Eurocentric beauty standards that had long dominated the art world. His photographs not only celebrated Black beauty but also told stories of resilience and strength.
Over the years, Brathwaite's artistic scope expanded to include jazz legends like Miles Davis and John Coltrane, as well as iconic musicians such as Nina Simone and Stevie Wonder. He was also invited to photograph the historic "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus remained steadfast on the core principles of his photography: celebrating Black identity and capturing the essence of music. His work continued to inspire generations of artists and activists, ensuring that his legacy will endure for years to come.
In recent years, Brathwaite's photography has experienced a resurgence in interest, with retrospectives at institutions such as the Aperture Foundation, Skirball Cultural Center, Blanton Museum of Art, and the Art Institute of Chicago. Despite struggling with health issues, Brathwaite continued to create until his passing.
Today, we remember Kwame Brathwaite as a visionary photographer who left an indelible mark on our understanding of Black beauty and identity. His work serves as a testament to the power of art to inspire change and challenge societal norms.
kwame brathwaite was like a legend in my eyes he was so ahead of his time with his photography i mean who else is gonna celebrate black beauty like that 
? his work still inspires me to this day i love how he used photography as a way to challenge the status quo and show the world what black people look like 
his legacy lives on thru all the artists and activists who were influenced by him i just wish he was around to see the impact he had on the world 
His photography was more than just a hobby, it was a movement 
He showed the world what beauty looks like through Black eyes, and we're forever grateful for that 
It's crazy to think about how his work has influenced so many artists, activists, and even musicians over the years... he was truly ahead of his time 
His photography is a reminder that art can be a powerful tool for change and challenge 
I'm loving all these retrospectives in recent years, it's amazing to see his work getting the love it deserves again 
Rest in peace, Kwame 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing 
man what a legend he was! 85 is old for someone with that kind of energy & passion for life 
his pics are still fire 
which was way ahead of its time 
bruv you can't deny his impact on art & culture 
. It's wild that he got to live through so much history – from Miles Davis to Stevie Wonder – and still managed to keep pushing the boundaries of art. And can we talk about Sikolo? She's an iconic model, no doubt 
. Anyway, Brathwaite's legacy is gonna live on, which is amazing, but it's also kinda sad that he had to leave us now 
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he was a true pioneer and his work still inspires me today. i wish more artists would follow in his footsteps and challenge the status quo like that 
. anyway, it's time to celebrate his life and art, let's get those retrospectives going! 
i'm so sad this means we wont get to see more of his amazing photography 
another legend bites the dust... 85 yrs old is still pretty young, but I guess even us oldies gotta eventually say goodbye 
Kwame Brathwaite was like a superhero for Black identity - his pics were more than just art, they were a call to action 
he was truly a pioneer in capturing the beauty of black identity on film and his impact will be felt for generations to come 
. Don't get me wrong, the "Black is Beautiful" movement is cool and all, but Brathwaite's contributions were pretty standard fare for a photographer who was basically just capturing Black people doing Black things 
. I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that someone who had such a profound impact on our understanding of Black identity is no longer with us. His photography was more than just a collection of pictures - it was a movement, a statement, and a celebration of Black beauty. And you know what's even more sad? The fact that his work has only recently been getting the recognition it deserves 
. I mean, come on, folks! Kwame Brathwaite was the real deal - a true pioneer in the art world. We should've been paying more attention to him back in the day. Anyway, RIP, Kwame 
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I just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing, and it's heartbreaking... 
his photography was more than just pictures, it was a movement