History has seen countless compelling features highlighting image makers: Martin Parr. Maybe the documentary format naturally comes alive when presenting exceptionally powerful photographs. Now comes another outstanding case, from filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, exploring the remarkable life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, musician and social justice champion who represented a special politico-aesthetic perspective.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he virtually invented the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the 1960s by documenting the Harlem models in the cultural epicenter: emerging Black women who became the sensational standard for visual appeal, moving beyond traditional cosmetic products and the predominant Caucasian model of womanhood.
The Influence of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a powerful unifying message, an visionary three-word manifesto for progress. Just stating that African Americans were beautiful emerged as a transformative force in society, social movements and the arts. The photographer emerged as integral to the Black power global Black cause by photographing the legendary boxer prior to his legendary Zaire bout in that era.
He was appointed the primary visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's African tour, and eventually became the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, creating an amazing archive of musical pioneers. Together with his brother, he became the driving force behind arranging for the South African leader to speak in the community.
Family Legacy
The photographer's offspring the younger Brathwaite is interviewed the family's campaign to secure due acknowledgment for his family heritage after he was unjustly ignored in Washington DC's cultural museum, inaugurated by Barack Obama in this century.
The feature also recounts the inexpressibly painful inspiration of the photographer's dedication to image making: the disturbing images of Emmett Till, the teenage African American murder victim whose grieving mother courageously requested an uncovered casket so the violent nature of bigoted brutality could not be concealed.
Through Darkness to Empowerment
Through this image of horror, Brathwaite encountered a kind of anti-epiphany that guided him toward images of beauty. His photographs powerfully conveyed community pride and typically subtle in messaging: he established a new iconography of pride through which activist groups could mobilize.
It is an captivating chronicle of cultural impact that continues to resonate decades later.
