History has seen countless engaging films highlighting visual artists: Martin Parr. Perhaps the documentary format truly excels when presenting remarkably striking photographs. Today comes one more exceptional instance, directed by creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the extraordinary professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, musician and social justice champion who represented a distinct politico-aesthetic approach.
Together with his family member Elombe, he effectively created the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by photographing the African American women in the cultural epicenter: young Black women who became the groundbreaking archetype for aesthetics, moving beyond traditional beauty standards and the predominant Eurocentric standard of female beauty.
The Power of a Revolutionary Slogan
The iconic phrase transformed into a powerful unifying message, an inspired memorable prose poem for progress. Merely to assert that African Americans possessed beauty proved to be a transformative influence in culture, politics and the arts. The artist became integral to the social justice African diaspora struggle by photographing the sports icon leading up to his legendary championship fight in 1974.
He served as the official visual documentarian for the band's African tour, and subsequently assumed the role of the house photographer for the iconic Apollo theatre, creating an incredible collection of African American artists. In collaboration with Elombe, he emerged as the key organizer behind securing Nelson Mandela to speak in New York.
Historical Recognition
The photographer's offspring Kwame Jr is interviewed the their campaign to secure proper recognition for his family heritage after he was unjustly overlooked in the nation's capital's cultural museum, inaugurated by Barack Obama in 2016.
The feature also recounts the inexpressibly painful genesis of the photographer's passion for visual storytelling: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the teenage civil rights lynching victim whose grieving mother boldly demanded an uncovered casket so the violent nature of bigoted brutality might not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Beauty
In this image of tragedy, Brathwaite discovered a form of profound understanding that led him toward images of aspiration. His images powerfully conveyed empowering beauty and often subtle in messaging: he curated a innovative visual language of strength upon which political movements could unite.
It is an exhilarating chronicle of artistic vision that continues to inspire through the years.
