There have been countless compelling features focusing on visual artists: Vivian Maier. Perhaps the documentary format particularly shines when presenting remarkably striking photographs. Today we have another exceptional instance, directed by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—a creative force, musician and civil rights advocate who exemplified a unique politico-aesthetic vision.
Alongside his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the sixties by documenting the Grandassa Models in New York: young Black women who became the groundbreaking archetype for beauty, abandoning conventional cosmetic products and the established Caucasian standard of female beauty.
The Impact of a Revolutionary Slogan
This powerful statement transformed into a powerful call to action, an brilliant three-word prose poem for progress. Just declaring that people of color possessed beauty emerged as a transformative power in society, activism and culture. Brathwaite emerged as a key figure in the social justice global Black cause by documenting the sports icon leading up to his legendary Zaire bout in that era.
He was appointed the primary image creator for the musical group's international performances, and eventually became the resident artist for the iconic Harlem venue, assembling an amazing collection of African American artists. In collaboration with his brother, he became the driving force behind securing the anti-apartheid icon to speak in New York.
Personal Journey
The photographer's offspring Kwame Jr is interviewed the their quest to achieve proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was painfully overlooked in the prestigious National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened by the former president in recent years.
The feature further reveals the deeply tragic genesis of the photographer's passion for visual storytelling: the shocking pictures of the lynching martyr, the young African American tragic figure whose mourning family member defiantly requested an public viewing so the violent nature of bigoted brutality could not be concealed.
Through Darkness to Beauty
From this representation of violence, Brathwaite discovered a form of anti-epiphany that directed him toward images of community. His photographs were eloquent of celebratory strength and frequently nuanced in approach: he developed a fresh symbolic representation of strength around which social causes could unite.
This represents an captivating testament of artistic vision that persists in empower through the years.
