Renowned ‘Black is Beautiful’ Movement Photographer, Kwame Brathwaite, Passes Away at 85
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It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Kwame Brathwaite, a pioneering activist and photographer whose incredible work shaped the aesthetics of the “Black is Beautiful” movement in the 1960s and beyond. On April 1, at the age of 85, Kwame Brathwaite left this world, leaving behind a legacy that will forever be cherished.
In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in Brathwaite’s work, with curators, historians, and collectors recognizing its significance. In 2019, the Aperture Foundation organized his first major retrospective, which premiered at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles before touring across the country.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Kwame Brathwaite spent his formative years in Brooklyn, New York. However, his family eventually moved to Harlem and then to the South Bronx when he was five years old. Brathwaite’s passion for photography was ignited by significant moments in his life. In 1955, at the age of 17, he came across David Jackson’s poignant photograph of Emmett Till in his open casket, leaving a lasting impression. The following year, while co-founding the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), Brathwaite witnessed a young man capturing photos in a dimly lit jazz club without a flash, sparking his imagination and opening up endless possibilities.
Armed with a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills in working with limited light to enhance the visual storytelling in his photographs. He also developed a darkroom technique that beautifully emphasized the richness of black skin tones. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Brathwaite had the privilege of photographing legendary jazz musicians like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, capturing their performances in a way that conveyed the essence of their music.
In the early 1960s, Brathwaite and AJASS embarked on a mission to challenge the prevailing Eurocentric beauty standards. They introduced the concept of the Grandassa Models, young Black women who Brathwaite photographed, celebrating and emphasizing their unique features. In 1962, they organized “Naturally ’62,” a groundbreaking fashion show held at the Purple Manor in Harlem, featuring these extraordinary models. This show continued to captivate audiences until 1992. It was during this time that Brathwaite met his wife Sikolo, one of the Grandassa Models, whom he had encountered on the street and asked to photograph. They remained married until the end of Brathwaite’s life.
As the 1970s rolled in, Brathwaite expanded his focus beyond jazz and began capturing other forms of popular Black music. He accompanied the Jackson Five on their tour to Africa in 1974, documenting their journey. That same year, he had the privilege of photographing the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Brathwaite’s talent also led him to photograph music icons such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, and Bob Marley.
Throughout the years, Brathwaite continued to evolve as a photographer, always staying true to the “Black is Beautiful” ethos. In 2016, he joined forces with the prestigious Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, showcasing his remarkable work. Even in 2018, Brathwaite was still actively engaged in his craft, capturing awe-inspiring portraits for The New Yorker.
Although Brathwaite’s health prevented him from being interviewed for a T Magazine profile in 2021, his retrospective made its way to the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas. Additionally, the Art Institute of Chicago is currently hosting the exhibition “Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For” until July 24.
Kwame Brathwaite’s legacy will forever live on through his incredible body of work, which continues to inspire and captivate audiences around the world. His extraordinary contributions to photography have solidified his place in history as a true visionary.