History has seen countless fascinating films highlighting image makers: Martin Parr. Maybe the documentary format truly excels when showcasing remarkably striking photographs. Now we have one more outstanding example, by creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, performer and African American activist who represented a unique politico-aesthetic vision.
Together with his family member Elombe, he pioneered the expression “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by documenting the African American women in Harlem: emerging women of color who transformed into the sensational archetype for beauty, abandoning traditional cosmetic products and the predominant Caucasian ideal of female beauty.
The Impact of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase evolved into a transformative call to action, an brilliant concise manifesto for change. Just declaring that people of color radiated beauty became a empowering influence in culture, activism and culture. The artist grew into part of the civil rights African diaspora cause by photographing the legendary boxer before his legendary Zaire bout in that era.
He was appointed the exclusive visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's continental journey, and subsequently was named the official visual chronicler for the historic Harlem venue, creating an incredible portfolio of black musicians. Together with his sibling, he became the key organizer behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to address the public in the community.
Family Legacy
His son the younger Brathwaite shares the their mission to achieve appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was painfully excluded in Washington DC's Smithsonian institution, established by Barack Obama in recent years.
The feature also recounts the deeply tragic inspiration of the photographer's dedication to image making: the shocking images of the lynching martyr, the teenage African American lynching victim whose mourning family member boldly insisted on an uncovered casket so the violent nature of bigoted brutality might not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
Through this vision of horror, the artist found a form of profound understanding that led him toward images of aspiration. His images beautifully expressed celebratory strength and often nuanced in approach: he established a fresh symbolic representation of strength through which activist groups could gather.
This represents an captivating record of artistic vision that still inspire decades later.
