History has seen numerous engaging films about image makers: Vivian Maier. Perhaps the documentary format naturally comes alive when showcasing remarkably striking photographs. Now comes a new exceptional example, directed by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, exploring the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, performer and social justice champion who embodied a special politico-aesthetic vision.
Together with his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by capturing the African American women in the cultural epicenter: emerging Black women who became the transformative template for visual appeal, abandoning traditional beauty standards and the established Caucasian standard of femininity.
The Influence of Three Words
Black Is Beautiful became a powerful call to action, an brilliant concise declaration for progress. Simply to assert that people of color possessed beauty became a empowering power in art, social movements and culture. Brathwaite emerged as a key figure in the social justice global Black cause by capturing images of the sports icon before his historic championship fight in that era.
He was appointed the exclusive visual documentarian for the Jackson 5's African tour, and eventually was named the resident artist for the legendary Apollo theatre, building an extraordinary portfolio of African American artists. In collaboration with his brother, he emerged as the key organizer behind securing the South African leader to appear in Harlem.
Historical Recognition
The photographer's offspring his namesake shares the personal quest to secure appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was painfully overlooked in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, established by the political leader in this century.
The feature additionally explores the deeply tragic origin of the artist's passion for image making: the disturbing pictures of Emmett Till, the teenage civil rights murder victim whose bereaved parent defiantly requested an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of bigoted brutality would not be covered up.
Through Darkness to Empowerment
From this image of violence, Brathwaite discovered a form of profound understanding that guided him toward images of aspiration. His images were eloquent of celebratory strength and typically subtle in messaging: he curated a fresh iconography of strength around which social causes could gather.
This represents an exhilarating record of artistic vision that persists in resonate through the years.
