Renowned photographer and activist Kwame Brathwaite has passed away at the age of 85. Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in what he referred to as "the People's Republic of Brooklyn", Brathwaite's journey into photography was influenced by two pivotal moments: a haunting photograph of Emmett Till's open casket in 1955 and witnessing a photographer taking photos without flash in a jazz club in 1956.
Brathwaite's work has been instrumental in defining the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which aimed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. He co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe and began using photography as a means of self-expression and activism. In 1962, AJASS organized a fashion show called "Naturally '62", featuring young Black women whom Brathwaite would photograph to celebrate their features.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his darkroom technique to enhance the visual narrative of his imagery and capture the essence of Black culture. His photographs featured jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to other forms of popular Black music in the 1970s, including the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. He also photographed Bob Marley and other music legends.
Brathwaite joined the Philip Martin Gallery roster in Los Angeles in 2016 and continued to photograph commissions until 2018. A retrospective of his work is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite's photography has been a testament to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos, challenging traditional beauty standards and celebrating Black culture. His legacy as a pioneering activist and photographer continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists.
Brathwaite's work has been instrumental in defining the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which aimed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards. He co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe and began using photography as a means of self-expression and activism. In 1962, AJASS organized a fashion show called "Naturally '62", featuring young Black women whom Brathwaite would photograph to celebrate their features.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his darkroom technique to enhance the visual narrative of his imagery and capture the essence of Black culture. His photographs featured jazz legends like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, Nina Simone, and Stevie Wonder, among others.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite's focus shifted from jazz to other forms of popular Black music in the 1970s, including the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman. He also photographed Bob Marley and other music legends.
Brathwaite joined the Philip Martin Gallery roster in Los Angeles in 2016 and continued to photograph commissions until 2018. A retrospective of his work is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24.
Throughout his life, Brathwaite's photography has been a testament to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos, challenging traditional beauty standards and celebrating Black culture. His legacy as a pioneering activist and photographer continues to inspire new generations of artists and activists.
like what can we do to preserve his legacy now that hes gone 
i feel like his work is still so relevant today its like we need more people like him speaking out against the status quo and celebrating black culture 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85... what an incredible legacy! The way he used photography to celebrate Black culture and challenge Eurocentric beauty standards is still so relevant today 
. I remember learning about the "Black is Beautiful" movement in school, but it was amazing to see the history behind it all 
. Kwame's work with AJASS and Studios is like a time capsule of 60s jazz and Black excellence 
. His photographs are not just beautiful, they're also powerful tools for social change 
. I'm so glad his legacy will live on through new generations of artists and activists who continue to draw inspiration from him 
.
he took pics that made you feel all the feels u no? like, remember when they used to say "white is purity" and stuff like that? brathwaite was all about showin people their beauty 4 real and it's still impactin us today 
i remember his pics of nina simone and stevie wonder, they were like nothin you ever saw before 
anyway he might be gone but his work lives on and we gotta keep celebratin the "black is beautiful" vibe 
Kwame Brathwaite's passing at 85 is a loss for the art world, but his body of work remains an enduring testament to the power of photography to challenge societal norms. The "Black is Beautiful" movement he co-founded with his brother Elombe was a pivotal moment in redefining beauty standards, and his photographs continue to celebrate Black culture with nuance and depth. His use of the Hasselblad camera and darkroom technique added an extra layer of visual storytelling to his work, making him a true master of his craft 
And the way he celebrated Black culture without ever being about the politics or drama... just pure joy & beauty. He was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
. He was a total legend in the photography world and his impact on the "Black is Beautiful" movement is still felt today 
. It's a reminder that one person can make a real difference and leave a lasting impact on the world 
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those jazz legends he photographed were always so stylish and full of life... it's amazing how his legacy continues to inspire new gen's of artists & activists 
85 years old is still young but it feels like we lost a piece of history. his photos are so iconic and they still hold so much power today 
. Anyway, Kwame Brathwaite was an amazing photographer who totally changed the game with his "Black is Beautiful" movement 
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. And what's up with his Hasselblad camera? I mean, I've seen some old cameras at thrift stores, but this is like, vintage tech stuff 
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. It's about time someone did something to challenge those Eurocentric beauty standards 
. Anyway, his legacy lives on, and I'm sure we'll see more people following in his footsteps 
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. He was truly a pioneer in capturing the essence of Black culture through his lens 
. I mean, who else could say they photographed some of the most iconic jazz legends and still managed to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards? 
It's amazing to think about how he used photography as a means of self-expression and activism - that's something we can all learn from 