History has seen countless compelling films highlighting photographers: Martin Parr. Perhaps the documentary format naturally comes alive when showcasing remarkably striking visual compositions. Now comes another exceptional case, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, exploring the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and African American activist who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist perspective.
Together with his family member Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the mid-century era by capturing the Harlem models in New York: emerging African American women who emerged as the transformative archetype for beauty, rejecting traditional grooming practices and the established Eurocentric standard of female beauty.
The Influence of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase evolved into a radical rallying cry, an visionary memorable manifesto for progress. Just stating that black people were beautiful proved to be a liberating power in society, politics and creative expression. The photographer became a key figure in the social justice pan-Africanist struggle by documenting the legendary boxer leading up to his iconic championship fight in 1974.
He was appointed the exclusive photographer for the musical group's continental journey, and subsequently was named the official visual chronicler for the iconic Apollo theatre, building an incredible portfolio of musical pioneers. Alongside Elombe, he was the central figure behind bringing the South African leader to appear in the community.
Historical Recognition
His son his namesake recounts the family's mission to achieve appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was painfully ignored in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by the political leader in 2016.
The feature further reveals the inexpressibly painful origin of the photographer's interest in visual storytelling: the disturbing photographs of Emmett Till, the teenage Black tragic figure whose grieving mother courageously requested an public viewing so the violent nature of racial hatred would not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
Through this vision of tragedy, Brathwaite found a type of anti-epiphany that led him toward photographs of community. His work were eloquent of empowering beauty and frequently subtle in messaging: he developed a innovative symbolic representation of strength around which activist groups could gather.
It is an exhilarating testament of creative genius that continues to empower through the years.
