There have been countless engaging documentaries highlighting visual artists: Vivian Maier. Maybe the film medium naturally comes alive when showcasing exceptionally powerful photographs. Today we have one more outstanding instance, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, musician and African American activist who represented a special artistic-political vision.
In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by photographing the Harlem models in Harlem: youthful women of color who emerged as the transformative archetype for beauty, moving beyond conventional cosmetic products and the established Eurocentric ideal of womanhood.
The Impact of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase transformed into a transformative unifying message, an inspired three-word manifesto for transformation. Just to assert that African Americans radiated beauty emerged as a transformative influence in society, activism and creative expression. The photographer grew into part of the social justice global Black struggle by capturing images of the legendary boxer leading up to his iconic championship fight in 1974.
He served as the exclusive visual documentarian for the musical group's continental journey, and eventually became the resident artist for the legendary Harlem venue, building an extraordinary archive of black musicians. In collaboration with his brother, he became the driving force behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to address the public in the community.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite shares the their mission to secure appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was painfully ignored in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by the former president in this century.
This documentary also recounts the inexpressibly painful origin of the artist's interest in photography: the disturbing images of the young victim, the teenage Black lynching victim whose bereaved parent boldly insisted on an uncovered casket so the brutal truth of racist violence could not be covered up.
Amidst Sorrow to Hope
Through this vision of violence, Brathwaite encountered a type of anti-epiphany that directed him toward images of aspiration. His images were eloquent of empowering beauty and frequently subtle in messaging: he curated a fresh iconography of empowerment around which activist groups could mobilize.
This represents an captivating testament of artistic vision that continues to empower through the years.
