Kwame Brathwaite, a groundbreaking activist and photographer, who was instrumental in defining the aesthetics of the “Black is Beautiful” movement in the 1960s and beyond, passed away on April 1 at the age of 85. His son, Kwame Brathwaite, Jr, shared the news of his father’s transition on Instagram. Brathwaite’s work has been gaining renewed interest from curators, historians, and collectors, with his first major retrospective debuting in 2019 and traveling across the country.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants, Brathwaite’s journey as a photographer began in New York and later led him to Harlem and the South Bronx. His passion for photography was sparked by encounters with powerful images, leading him to capture the essence of jazz icons and later challenge Eurocentric beauty standards through the Grandassa Models. Additionally, Brathwaite’s work extended beyond jazz to portray other influential Black musicians such as Nina Simone, Bob Marley, and Stevie Wonder.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to evolve his photography style while staying true to the essence of “Black is Beautiful.” His dedication to showcasing the beauty and essence of his subjects resonates through his work, even up to his recent commissions in 2018. Despite facing health challenges towards the end of his life, his impact on the world of photography remains substantial.
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