Kwame Brathwaite, the esteemed photographer and pioneering activist, sadly passed away on April 1 at the age of 85. As the patriarch of his family and an inspiration to many, his death has left a deep void. Brathwaite’s work has experienced a resurgence of interest in recent years, with curators, historians, and collectors recognizing his significant contributions. In fact, his first major retrospective, organized by the Aperture Foundation, debuted in 2019 at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles and has been touring the country.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York, Brathwaite’s passion for photography was ignited by two transformative moments. The first was when he encountered David Jackson’s powerful photograph of Emmett Till in 1955. The second occurred in 1956 when he observed a man capturing captivating photos in a dark jazz club without a flash. These experiences shaped his photographic style and influenced his use of limited light to enhance the visual narratives in his images. Brathwaite also developed a darkroom technique that brought out the richness of Black skin tones, honing his craft in his Harlem apartment.
Throughout the 1950s and ’60s, Brathwaite captured iconic jazz performers such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. His goal was to convey the emotions and atmosphere of their music through his photography. In the early 1960s, Brathwaite and the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) actively challenged Eurocentric beauty standards. They introduced the concept of the Grandassa Models and organized fashion shows that celebrated the unique features of young Black women. Brathwaite met his wife, Sikolo, a Grandassa Model, during this time, and their marriage lasted until his passing.
In the 1970s, Brathwaite expanded his focus to document other forms of popular Black music. He captured the Jackson Five’s tour in Africa and photographed the historic “Rumble in the Jungle” boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Brathwaite’s talent also offered him opportunities to photograph music legends such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to the “Black is Beautiful” ethos, continually pushing boundaries and evolving his style. In 2016, he joined the esteemed Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles and continued to receive commissions. Despite declining health, Brathwaite’s retrospective traveled to the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, in 2021, attracting significant attention. Additionally, the Art Institute of Chicago is currently hosting another exhibition showcasing his exceptional works.
Kwame Brathwaite’s legacy will forever be remembered and cherished. His contributions to photography, activism, and the celebration of Black beauty are invaluable. Whether through his captivating photographs or his profound influence on the “Black is Beautiful” movement, Brathwaite’s impact resonates deeply.