Kwame Brathwaite, a photographer and activist whose work played a pivotal role in defining the aesthetics of the 'Black is Beautiful' movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away at the age of 85. His son, Kwame Jr., announced his father's death on social media, calling him his "Baba" or father figure.
Born in New York in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite was drawn to photography at a young age after witnessing two powerful images that left an indelible mark on him. His encounter with David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket and his observation of another photographer capturing images without flash in a dark jazz club sparked a passion for the art form.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills to capture vibrant images that celebrated Black culture. His work often focused on jazz legends performing throughout the 1950s and '60s, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others. He also developed a technique in his small Harlem apartment darkroom that enriched and deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs.
Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where they aimed to push back against whitewashed beauty standards. The group came up with the concept of the Grandassa Models, young Black women whom Brathwaite would photograph celebrating their features. In 1966, he married Sikolo, a Grandassa Model whom he met on the street.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore and develop his photography style while staying true to the 'Black is Beautiful' ethos. He photographed prominent figures such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and artist Joanne Petit-Frère for The New Yorker in 2018.
Brathwaite's work has garnered renewed attention from curators, historians, and collectors over the past decade, with his first major institutional retrospective debuting at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019. An exhibition titled "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For" is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago until July 24.
As a testament to his enduring legacy, Kwame Jr.'s tribute captures the essence of Brathwaite's artistic vision and commitment to celebrating Black culture.
Born in New York in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite was drawn to photography at a young age after witnessing two powerful images that left an indelible mark on him. His encounter with David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket and his observation of another photographer capturing images without flash in a dark jazz club sparked a passion for the art form.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills to capture vibrant images that celebrated Black culture. His work often focused on jazz legends performing throughout the 1950s and '60s, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others. He also developed a technique in his small Harlem apartment darkroom that enriched and deepened how Black skin appeared in his photographs.
Brathwaite co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where they aimed to push back against whitewashed beauty standards. The group came up with the concept of the Grandassa Models, young Black women whom Brathwaite would photograph celebrating their features. In 1966, he married Sikolo, a Grandassa Model whom he met on the street.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore and develop his photography style while staying true to the 'Black is Beautiful' ethos. He photographed prominent figures such as Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and artist Joanne Petit-Frère for The New Yorker in 2018.
Brathwaite's work has garnered renewed attention from curators, historians, and collectors over the past decade, with his first major institutional retrospective debuting at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019. An exhibition titled "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For" is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago until July 24.
As a testament to his enduring legacy, Kwame Jr.'s tribute captures the essence of Brathwaite's artistic vision and commitment to celebrating Black culture.
. You know what really stood out to me is how he turned a moment of sadness into an opportunity to celebrate his life's work. His legacy isn't just about the black and white photos, but about the beauty, pride, and resilience that comes with embracing our own culture 
. It's a reminder that our stories are worth telling, even if they're not widely recognized or appreciated. Life is full of ups and downs, but it's how we choose to share our experiences that truly leaves a mark 
. We should all strive to be like Kwame Jr., turning our own "Baba"s into lasting tributes 
.
... so sad he was like an icon in photography world and played huge role in makin black culture look beautiful on camera his work still inspirin new gen photographers and artists 
i love how he used Hasselblad camera to capture the beauty of jazz legends performin back in 50s & 60s and breakin traditional beauty standards with grandassa models 
it's crazy that his work still gettin attention now... his legacy will keep goin strong 
I'm soooo saddened by the news of Kwame Brathwaite passing away 
I mean, can you even imagine a world without his iconic images of jazz legends and beautiful Black women celebrating their features? 
it's like someone took all that beauty and energy outta this world... 
anyway, as an African American myself, I feel seen by Brathwaite's work, especially with the way he celebrated our culture and broke free from whitewashed standards 
, ya know? It feels like just yesterday we were all vibin' on the 'Black is Beautiful' movement and now he's gone. But his legacy lives on, you feel me? His work was more than just photography - it was a way of seein' the world, of celebratin' Black culture in all its beauty 
. I mean, think about it, he was one of the first people to show that Black skin is beautiful, not just as a concept but in real life too 
. And now his work is bein' celebrated and shared with the world. It's like... his spirit lives on through his son Kwame Jr.'s tribute, and through all the people whose lives he touched through his art 
. We can't forget about him, man 
I mean, can you imagine having grown up seeing your dad's photos of Miles Davis and John Coltrane performing live? That's some serious talent right there! 
And I love how he co-founded AJASS to push back against whitewashed beauty standards - that's real activism right there! The fact that his work is still getting major attention even after all these years is a testament to his impact and legacy 
.
just read about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85 and I'm SHOOK 
He was literally a pioneer for black representation in photography, always pushing boundaries and challenging traditional beauty standards 
I mean, it's not just about the photos, but the impact he had on generations to come 
!
