Legendary Photographer and Activist Kwame Brathwaite Dies at 85
Kwame Brathwaite, the pioneering photographer who helped define the aesthetics of the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away on April 1st at the age of 85. His son, Kwame Jr., announced his father's death in an Instagram post, describing him as his "Baba," or father, who was not only his rock but also his hero.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite grew up surrounded by a vibrant cultural landscape that would later influence his work. He attended the School of Industrial Art (now the High School of Art and Design) before being drawn to photography through two pivotal moments: encountering David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in 1955, and witnessing a young photographer taking photos in a jazz club without flash film.
Brathwaite began his career as a photographer for the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), co-founded with his brother Elombe. He became increasingly interested in capturing the beauty and essence of Black culture, particularly through the concept of the "Grandassa Models," young Black women who embodied their natural features and celebrated their uniqueness.
Through his work, Brathwaite sought to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards that had dominated the media landscape at the time. His photographs showcased a diverse range of models, musicians, and everyday people, all celebrating their individuality and cultural identity.
Brathwaite's body of work expanded beyond photography, including commissions for famous artists, musicians, and icons like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. He traveled extensively, capturing iconic moments such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to the principles of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, using photography as a tool for empowerment and self-expression. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, and just two years later, was still actively photographing commissions in 2018.
Despite struggling with declining health that made it difficult to be interviewed, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his photographs, exhibitions, and the countless individuals who have been inspired by his work. The Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, currently hosts an exhibition featuring his extensive body of work, including a special retrospective celebrating his contributions to the art world.
Brathwaite's impact extends beyond the realm of photography, as he played a significant role in shaping the cultural narrative around beauty and identity for generations to come. His passing leaves behind a rich legacy of art, activism, and inspiration that will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
Kwame Brathwaite, the pioneering photographer who helped define the aesthetics of the "Black is Beautiful" movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away on April 1st at the age of 85. His son, Kwame Jr., announced his father's death in an Instagram post, describing him as his "Baba," or father, who was not only his rock but also his hero.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in Brooklyn, New York, Brathwaite grew up surrounded by a vibrant cultural landscape that would later influence his work. He attended the School of Industrial Art (now the High School of Art and Design) before being drawn to photography through two pivotal moments: encountering David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in 1955, and witnessing a young photographer taking photos in a jazz club without flash film.
Brathwaite began his career as a photographer for the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS), co-founded with his brother Elombe. He became increasingly interested in capturing the beauty and essence of Black culture, particularly through the concept of the "Grandassa Models," young Black women who embodied their natural features and celebrated their uniqueness.
Through his work, Brathwaite sought to push back against Eurocentric beauty standards that had dominated the media landscape at the time. His photographs showcased a diverse range of models, musicians, and everyday people, all celebrating their individuality and cultural identity.
Brathwaite's body of work expanded beyond photography, including commissions for famous artists, musicians, and icons like Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, and Bob Marley. He traveled extensively, capturing iconic moments such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite remained committed to the principles of the "Black is Beautiful" movement, using photography as a tool for empowerment and self-expression. In 2016, he joined Philip Martin Gallery in Los Angeles, and just two years later, was still actively photographing commissions in 2018.
Despite struggling with declining health that made it difficult to be interviewed, Brathwaite's legacy lives on through his photographs, exhibitions, and the countless individuals who have been inspired by his work. The Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, currently hosts an exhibition featuring his extensive body of work, including a special retrospective celebrating his contributions to the art world.
Brathwaite's impact extends beyond the realm of photography, as he played a significant role in shaping the cultural narrative around beauty and identity for generations to come. His passing leaves behind a rich legacy of art, activism, and inspiration that will continue to be celebrated for years to come.
he was like a legend in his own right, and his work is still giving me life today 
i mean, can you even imagine the world without his photos of grandassa models or muhammad ali and george foreman going down? it's crazy to think that someone who started out doing photography for an arts society ended up being a major player in shaping beauty standards and cultural identity. and let's not forget about his activism - he was literally using his camera as a tool for empowerment and self-expression 
anyway, I'm sure his legacy will live on through the countless people he inspired, including his son kwame jr who's carrying on his dad's work 
. his photography is still fire 
, and i'm so glad the blanton museum of art is showcasing his work again 
. it's crazy to think about how much impact one person can have on the world 
. rest in peace baba kwame 
... Kwame Brathwaite was more than just a photographer, he was a movement 
... his work is still giving us life today, showing us that beauty comes in all shapes and sizes 
... I'm so grateful for him and the impact he had on our culture 
... it's crazy to think about how much influence one person can have 
... anyway, RIP Kwame Brathwaite 
just heard about Kwame Brathwaite's passing at 85... what an incredible legacy he left us! his photography is like a time capsule of black excellence and beauty in the 60s & 70s 
Kwame Jr. is gonna miss his Baba so much, but we're all gonna be inspired by the work he left behind 
, and it's up to us to keep spreading that message. anyone else remember seeing his work for the first time? how did he make you feel? 
and all these people are gonna pretend they knew him as some kinda hero or whatever 
but let's be real, he was just trying to make a living from his art like everyone else 
his legacy lives on through his work which is still giving us life today 
I remember seeing one of his exhibitions at art school and being blown away by how beautiful and powerful his photographs were 
.
the world needs more people like him who aren't afraid to speak truth to power with their art 
. Can't they just have a dedicated page for these types of events instead? And why do we always have to see the most iconic photos on the front page 
He was like, 85 yrs old tho 
. I mean, we can all learn from his use of photography as a tool for empowerment 
. What's your fave Kwame Brathwaite photo? 
. I'm so grateful for his work, especially with the Grandassa Models - those women were like superheroes, owning their beauty and inspiring others 
.
can't help but think about how many people were inspired by his work, and how it continues to empower new generations