Pioneering photographer Kwame Brathwaite, a key figure in the 'Black is Beautiful' movement, has passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite's life was marked by his unwavering commitment to celebrating Black beauty and identity through his photography.
Growing up, Brathwaite was deeply influenced by two pivotal moments that shaped his artistic vision. In 1955, he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till, an image that left a lasting impact on him. A year later, after co-founding the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), Brathwaite saw a young photographer in a jazz club, sparking his interest in capturing life's beauty through his lens.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his craft, focusing on limited light to enhance the narrative of his imagery. He also developed a darkroom technique that deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs. His work became synonymous with the 'Black is Beautiful' ethos, as he photographed jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk.
In 1962, Brathwaite co-founded the Grandassa Models project, which aimed to showcase young Black women's natural beauty. The project led to the organization of "Naturally '62," a fashion show that celebrated Black beauty until 1992. In 1966, he married Sikolo, a Grandassa Model, whom he had met on the street and photographed years earlier.
As Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to popular Black music in the 1970s, his commissions took him to Africa and the United States. He documented tours with the Jackson Five and photographing iconic performances by Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and more.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore photography as a means of celebrating Black beauty and identity. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, and recent commissions included photographing artist Joanne Petit-Frère for The New Yorker in 2018.
Despite health issues that prevented him from being interviewed for T Magazine's 2021 profile, Brathwaite's work remains a testament to his unwavering commitment to showcasing Black beauty. His latest exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, set to run until July 24.
Growing up, Brathwaite was deeply influenced by two pivotal moments that shaped his artistic vision. In 1955, he encountered David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till, an image that left a lasting impact on him. A year later, after co-founding the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), Brathwaite saw a young photographer in a jazz club, sparking his interest in capturing life's beauty through his lens.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his craft, focusing on limited light to enhance the narrative of his imagery. He also developed a darkroom technique that deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs. His work became synonymous with the 'Black is Beautiful' ethos, as he photographed jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk.
In 1962, Brathwaite co-founded the Grandassa Models project, which aimed to showcase young Black women's natural beauty. The project led to the organization of "Naturally '62," a fashion show that celebrated Black beauty until 1992. In 1966, he married Sikolo, a Grandassa Model, whom he had met on the street and photographed years earlier.
As Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to popular Black music in the 1970s, his commissions took him to Africa and the United States. He documented tours with the Jackson Five and photographing iconic performances by Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and more.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore photography as a means of celebrating Black beauty and identity. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, and recent commissions included photographing artist Joanne Petit-Frère for The New Yorker in 2018.
Despite health issues that prevented him from being interviewed for T Magazine's 2021 profile, Brathwaite's work remains a testament to his unwavering commitment to showcasing Black beauty. His latest exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, set to run until July 24.
Kwame Brathwaite was like the OG photographer for black people... his photos were always so positive and beautiful 
but I wish he had an app or something where you could just upload a pic and it would automatically add that filter of "black is beautiful" to it. I mean, can't we make a platform where creativity isn't based on who's got the most Instagram followers? It feels like everyone's trying to cash in on Brathwaite's legacy now... some exhibitions are just reshares with different names 
, and I love how he captured those iconic jazz legends - Miles Davis, John Coltrane... they're all so cool! 
What I find really fascinating is that he didn't just stop at photography; he actually started a movement with Grandassa Models, which was all about showcasing young Black women's natural beauty. That's some serious power, you know? 
. That's a huge loss for the photography world! I mean, his work was truly groundbreaking - celebrating Black beauty and identity through his lens is something we still need more of today 
. His legacy lives on through his exhibitions like "Things Well Worth Waiting For" which just opened at the Art Institute of Chicago 
. I wish there were more opportunities for artists like Kwame to showcase their work and inspire new generations of creatives 
.
. Growing up seeing images that celebrated Black beauty, like David Jackson's Emmett Till photo, must've been eye-opening for him. Who wouldn't want to capture life's beauty through their lens? 
.
. The fact that he was married to a model and photographed her years before meeting her says so much about how respectful and genuine he was as an artist 
.
. The fact that he continued to create and innovate until the end is truly inspiring... what a legacy! 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85... what a legend! 
i'm so grateful for people like Kwame who used their art to uplift and empower others 
I remember hearing about the Black is Beautiful movement and how he played a huge role in it 
and did you know he photographed some of the most legendary jazz musicians? miles davis, john coltrane... wow 
"things well worth waiting for" at the art institute of chicago... I need to check it out ASAP 
we're so lucky to have had him share his vision with the world for as long as we did