Renowned Photographer and Activist Kwame Brathwaite Passes Away at 85
Kwame Brathwaite, the iconic photographer behind the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s, has passed away on April 1st, aged 85. His son announced his father's death in an Instagram post, describing him as a family patriarch and hero.
Brathwaite's work has garnered renewed attention from curators, historians, and collectors in recent years. His first major institutional retrospective, organized by the Aperture Foundation, debuted at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring across the country.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite's exposure to photography came from two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in his open casket and observing a young photographer capturing images without flash at a Harlem jazz club. He co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where he began experimenting with photography techniques.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite developed a darkroom technique that enhanced the visual narrative of his imagery, particularly in capturing Black skin tones. His photography career spanned decades, including documenting jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. Brathwaite's focus shifted to other forms of popular Black music in the 1970s, including photographing the Jackson Five, Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos, capturing images that celebrated African American culture and identity. In recent years, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles and continued to photograph commissions until 2018. A retrospective of his work was recently exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, which will remain on view until July 24.
Brathwaite's legacy extends beyond his photographic portfolio; he played a significant role in shaping the aesthetics of Black beauty standards. His work continues to inspire artists, collectors, and curators, ensuring that his vision remains relevant today.
Kwame Brathwaite, the iconic photographer behind the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s, has passed away on April 1st, aged 85. His son announced his father's death in an Instagram post, describing him as a family patriarch and hero.
Brathwaite's work has garnered renewed attention from curators, historians, and collectors in recent years. His first major institutional retrospective, organized by the Aperture Foundation, debuted at the Skirball Cultural Center in Los Angeles in 2019 before touring across the country.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite's exposure to photography came from two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting image of Emmett Till in his open casket and observing a young photographer capturing images without flash at a Harlem jazz club. He co-founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) with his brother Elombe, where he began experimenting with photography techniques.
Using a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite developed a darkroom technique that enhanced the visual narrative of his imagery, particularly in capturing Black skin tones. His photography career spanned decades, including documenting jazz legends such as Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk. Brathwaite's focus shifted to other forms of popular Black music in the 1970s, including photographing the Jackson Five, Muhammad Ali vs. George Foreman, Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to the "Black is Beautiful" ethos, capturing images that celebrated African American culture and identity. In recent years, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles and continued to photograph commissions until 2018. A retrospective of his work was recently exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, which will remain on view until July 24.
Brathwaite's legacy extends beyond his photographic portfolio; he played a significant role in shaping the aesthetics of Black beauty standards. His work continues to inspire artists, collectors, and curators, ensuring that his vision remains relevant today.
Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, you know? He was a true artist, a movement maker... the dude helped shape what it means to be black and beautiful in this world 
. I mean, have you seen his pics of Miles Davis and John Coltrane? That's some next level stuff 
. And let's not forget about the "Black is Beautiful" thing – that was more than just a movement, that was a necessary cry for help back then 
.
. It's like, we can't let his vision die with him 
. And I gotta say, his commitment to celebrating African American culture is still so relevant today... it's like, we need more of that in this world 
.
– you left us way too soon 
... I mean think about it he was more than just a photographer, he was a movement, a symbol of black pride & identity during a time when it was needed most 
. his work still inspires us today and i can only imagine what the world would be like without him 
Kwame Brathwaite was literally the GOAT 
of photography! I mean, have you seen those iconic pics of Miles Davis and John Coltrane? 
They're still giving me LIFE 
And can we talk about how he used his platform to celebrate Black culture and beauty? 
It's like, so inspiring to see someone who's been a part of that movement for decades, keeping it real and pushing boundaries. I'm so grateful for his legacy and the impact he had on the art world. RIP Kwame 
just sad to hear about Kwame Brathwaite, been following his work for years, so much impact on the way we see black beauty and identity... his photography is more than just pics, it's a movement 
aged 85. feels like we lost a piece of history. his photography is more than just pictures, it's a message of empowerment & self-love for black people. and to see how his work is still relevant today? it's mind-blowing 
. Growing up in Brooklyn, seeing images like Emmett Till's open casket must've been super powerful and inspiring to him I guess. And to see how his work has been gaining so much attention again is really cool 
. He might not be with us anymore, but his legacy lives on through the people he's inspired 
. Anyway, it's time to give the man some props – his work is truly beautiful 
.
anyway i'm gonna go look at some of his work on instagram now gotta give it up to philip martin gallery for keeping his legacy alive 
. I mean, who else got to hang out with Miles Davis and Thelonious Monk? Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was like a curator of black excellence.
just think about how old Kwame Brathwaite was when he passed away 
. It feels like people are only realizing how influential he was now that he's no longer with us 
. I wish they'd had more exhibitions about him when he was still alive, it would've been so much more meaningful 
The way his work celebrated Black culture and identity is still so inspiring today 
.