Kwame Brathwaite, the photographer and activist behind the iconic "Black is Beautiful" movement, has passed away at the age of 85. His son announced the news in an Instagram post, stating that his father had "transitioned." Brathwaite's work continues to inspire a new generation of artists and historians, who have been drawn to his photography over the past few years.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite was raised in Harlem and later moved to the South Bronx. He developed an interest in photography at a young age, inspired by the work of David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in his open casket in 1955. After co-founding the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, Brathwaite began using his photography to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards and promote Black culture.
Brathwaite's work from this period is characterized by its celebration of Black skin and hair, often through the use of limited light and darkroom techniques. His photographs of jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, are highly regarded for their unique perspective on the music scene.
In addition to his photography work, Brathwaite was also a key figure in the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which emerged in the 1960s. He co-founded AJASS with his brother Elombe, and together they organized the Grandassa Models, young Black women who were celebrated for their natural hair and features. The group's work helped to challenge traditional beauty standards and promote a more inclusive definition of beauty.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore new forms of photography, including portraits of music legends like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His photographs have been exhibited widely, including a major retrospective at the Aperture Foundation in 2019, which traveled to several institutions across the country.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy continues to be felt. A new exhibition of his work, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24. The show highlights the photographer's commitment to celebrating Black culture and promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty.
Brathwaite's death comes as news that his work has been gaining renewed attention from curators, historians, and collectors in recent years. His photographs continue to inspire new generations of artists and activists, who are drawn to their unique perspective on the world.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite was raised in Harlem and later moved to the South Bronx. He developed an interest in photography at a young age, inspired by the work of David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in his open casket in 1955. After co-founding the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, Brathwaite began using his photography to challenge Eurocentric beauty standards and promote Black culture.
Brathwaite's work from this period is characterized by its celebration of Black skin and hair, often through the use of limited light and darkroom techniques. His photographs of jazz legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, are highly regarded for their unique perspective on the music scene.
In addition to his photography work, Brathwaite was also a key figure in the "Black is Beautiful" movement, which emerged in the 1960s. He co-founded AJASS with his brother Elombe, and together they organized the Grandassa Models, young Black women who were celebrated for their natural hair and features. The group's work helped to challenge traditional beauty standards and promote a more inclusive definition of beauty.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to explore new forms of photography, including portraits of music legends like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. His photographs have been exhibited widely, including a major retrospective at the Aperture Foundation in 2019, which traveled to several institutions across the country.
Despite his passing, Brathwaite's legacy continues to be felt. A new exhibition of his work, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on view at the Art Institute of Chicago, where it will remain until July 24. The show highlights the photographer's commitment to celebrating Black culture and promoting a more inclusive definition of beauty.
Brathwaite's death comes as news that his work has been gaining renewed attention from curators, historians, and collectors in recent years. His photographs continue to inspire new generations of artists and activists, who are drawn to their unique perspective on the world.
I'm so sad to hear about Kwame Brathwaite's passing 
. He was an icon and a true legend in the photography world 
. His work will live on and continue to inspire us all 
. The "Black is Beautiful" movement he co-founded with his brother Elombe is still so relevant today 
. We need more people like him who aren't afraid to challenge traditional beauty standards and promote self-love 
. I'm grateful that his son is keeping his father's legacy alive by sharing his work with the world 
!
I'm so sad, he was like a hero to me, inspiration for many ppl who wanna challenge the status quo. His work is still goin strong tho, and that new exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago is a must see 
I feel blessed to've grown up with his work as part of my life, it's like he never really left us 
. his photography is like nothin you've ever seen before - limited light & darkroom techniques that make ur eyes pop out 
. and to think, he started this whole "black is beautiful" movement back in the 60s 
that was such a powerful thing in the 60s and it's amazing to see how Brathwaite played a key role in it alongside his brother Elombe I mean they were really ahead of their time when it came to promoting Black culture and challenging Eurocentric beauty standards 
rest in peace to an icon
he was like 85 tho so i guess it's not that shocking lol his work is literally changing the game for black culture and beauty 
i mean have you seen those pics of him with nina simone and stevie wonder? iconic 
it's a testament to what one person can do when they're passionate about promoting positive change 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite passing away at 85 
especially with all the new gen artists and historians getting into his pics 
my grandma used to talk about him too she loved his photos of jazz musicians, they're so cool 
you gotta respect the way he used photography to change people's minds about beauty and identity its not just about his work but also how it made him feel good about himself being from brooklyn and all 
and i think its cool that his son is carrying on his legacy and getting more people to see his stuff again