Kwame Brathwaite, a key figure in the “Black is Beautiful” movement, passed away on April 1 at the age of 85. His work as a photographer and activist has sparked a renewed interest from art enthusiasts and historians. The Aperture Foundation organized his first major retrospective in 2019, which premiered at the Skirball Cultural Center in LA.
Born in 1938 in New York City, Brathwaite’s passion for photography was ignited by poignant moments during his youth. He developed a distinctive style using a medium-format Hasselblad camera and mastered the art of capturing emotive performances of jazz legends in dimly lit venues. His work aimed to challenge whitewashed beauty standards by celebrating Black features through the Grandassa Models, a group he founded.
Beyond jazz, Brathwaite captured iconic music events and personalities, including documenting the Jackson Five’s African tour and the historic Ali vs. Foreman fight. His photography evolved over the years, always championing the “Black is Beautiful” philosophy. Despite his declining health, he continued to shoot commissions until 2018.
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