History has seen countless fascinating documentaries focusing on photographers: Martin Parr. Maybe cinematic storytelling particularly shines when showcasing particularly vivid photographs. Today we have one more exceptional case, from creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and African American activist who represented a special cultural-activist vision.
Together with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by photographing the African American women in the cultural epicenter: young African American women who emerged as the groundbreaking archetype for beauty, rejecting typical cosmetic products and the usual Caucasian standard of femininity.
The Influence of Three Words
This powerful statement evolved into a transformative call to action, an brilliant memorable declaration for progress. Merely to assert that African Americans radiated beauty proved to be a liberating power in culture, activism and creative expression. Brathwaite became part of the social justice pan-Africanist movement by photographing the sports icon prior to his historic Rumble in the Jungle in 1974.
He served as the exclusive image creator for the Jackson 5's continental journey, and eventually assumed the role of the resident artist for the iconic Apollo theatre, assembling an amazing collection of African American artists. In collaboration with his brother, he became the key organizer behind bringing Nelson Mandela to appear in the community.
Historical Recognition
The photographer's offspring Kwame Jr recounts the personal campaign to ensure appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully excluded in Washington DC's cultural museum, inaugurated by Barack Obama in recent years.
The feature further reveals the inexpressibly painful genesis of Brathwaite's dedication to image making: the horrendous images of the lynching martyr, the teenage African American tragic figure whose grieving mother defiantly requested an public viewing so the brutal truth of bigoted brutality might not be concealed.
Through Darkness to Empowerment
Through this image of violence, the visionary found a type of anti-epiphany that guided him toward images of aspiration. His photographs were eloquent of celebratory strength and frequently not overtly political: he developed a fresh iconography of strength around which political movements could gather.
This represents an exhilarating testament of creative genius that still inspire across generations.
