There have been countless fascinating features about image makers: Tish Murtha. Perhaps cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when displaying remarkably striking still images. Here comes one more exceptional instance, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and social justice champion who exemplified a special politico-aesthetic perspective.
In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by capturing the Harlem models in New York: youthful African American women who emerged as the sensational archetype for aesthetics, rejecting conventional beauty standards and the predominant white ideal of womanhood.
The Power of a Simple Phrase
The iconic phrase evolved into a powerful call to action, an visionary three-word manifesto for progress. Simply declaring that black people possessed beauty became a transformative influence in culture, politics and culture. Brathwaite emerged as integral to the social justice African diaspora movement by photographing the sports icon before his historic Zaire bout in the seventies.
He was appointed the official visual documentarian for the band's continental journey, and later assumed the role of the official visual chronicler for the historic Harlem venue, assembling an extraordinary portfolio of black musicians. In collaboration with Elombe, he was the driving force behind bringing Nelson Mandela to appear in Harlem.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son Kwame Jr shares the personal campaign to ensure proper recognition for his family heritage after he was hurtfully overlooked in the prestigious Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by the political leader in this century.
The film also recounts the deeply tragic genesis of the photographer's interest in visual storytelling: the shocking photographs of Emmett Till, the teenage Black tragic figure whose grieving mother defiantly demanded an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racial hatred could not be hidden.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
In this image of tragedy, the artist found a type of profound understanding that directed him toward photographs of aspiration. His work powerfully conveyed empowering beauty and often nuanced in approach: he curated a fresh iconography of pride upon which political movements could gather.
The documentary stands as an inspiring testament of artistic vision that persists in inspire decades later.
