Photographer Kwame Brathwaite, known for iconic ‘Black is Beautiful’ images, passes away at 85

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Recently, the sad news of Kwame Brathwaite’s passing was shared by his son on Instagram. At the age of 85, the pioneering activist and photographer left behind a powerful legacy that helped shape the “Black is Beautiful” movement in the 1960s and beyond. His work has garnered renewed interest from curators, historians, and collectors, leading to a major retrospective hosted by the Aperture Foundation in 2019.

Born to Barbadian immigrants in 1938, Brathwaite found his passion for photography after being inspired by poignant moments in his youth. His unique approach to capturing images with limited light and enhancing the beauty of black skin through darkroom techniques set him apart as a photographer. Throughout the 1950s and ’60s, he photographed jazz icons like Miles Davis, John Coltrane, and Thelonious Monk, aiming to convey the emotion and mood of their performances.

By the early 1960s, Brathwaite used his photography to challenge Eurocentric beauty norms alongside the AJASS group. He celebrated black beauty by photographing the Grandassa Models in a series of iconic images. His focus later expanded to document popular black musicians and historic events, showcasing his versatility as a photographer.

Despite battling failing health in recent years, Brathwaite’s work continues to inspire audiences worldwide. His retrospective exhibition can be seen at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, with another display at the Art Institute of Chicago. These exhibitions provide a glimpse into the remarkable career of an artist who dedicated his life to capturing the beauty of black culture.

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