Renowned ‘Black is Beautiful’ Movement Photographer, Kwame Brathwaite, Passes Away at 85
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In recent news, we mourn the loss of Kwame Brathwaite, a pioneering activist and photographer who played a significant role in defining the aesthetics of the “Black is Beautiful” movement of the 1960s and beyond. Brathwaite’s work has experienced a resurgence of interest from curators, historians, and collectors in recent years. His first major institutional retrospective, organized by the Aperture Foundation, received critical acclaim and traveled across the country.
Born in 1938 in New York, Brathwaite was drawn to photography after encountering powerful images that deeply affected him. He honed his skills and captured the essence of jazz legends performing in the 1950s and ’60s. Brathwaite’s goal was to capture the mood and feeling of the music through his photography.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite and his organization, the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), used photography to challenge whitewashed beauty standards. They created the concept of the Grandassa Models, celebrating the features of young Black women. This movement led to the famous fashion show “Naturally ’62,” which continued until 1992. In 1966, Brathwaite met his wife Sikolo, a Grandassa Model whom he photographed and married.
As the years went by, Brathwaite expanded his focus to capture other forms of popular Black music. He photographed music legends such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Bob Marley, and more. Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to the “Black is Beautiful” ethos.
Despite his declining health, Brathwaite continued to photograph commissions until 2018. His retrospective is currently traveling to the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, and a separate exhibition is on view at the Art Institute of Chicago.
We honor the legacy of Kwame Brathwaite and his immense contribution to art and activism. As a software outsourcing company, we appreciate the power of creativity and innovation in driving change. Our mission is to provide exceptional software development services and assist businesses in achieving their goals.