History has seen numerous fascinating films highlighting visual artists: Vivian Maier. It could be the film medium particularly shines when presenting remarkably striking visual compositions. Here we have another remarkable example, from writer-director Yemi Bamiro, documenting the impressive professional journey of Kwame Brathwaite—a photographer, artist and social justice champion who represented a distinct artistic-political approach.
In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by documenting the Harlem models in the cultural epicenter: youthful women of color who transformed into the transformative archetype for visual appeal, rejecting conventional grooming practices and the predominant Eurocentric model of femininity.
The Influence of Three Words
This powerful statement evolved into a powerful unifying message, an inspired concise prose poem for transformation. Just declaring that people of color were beautiful became a empowering force in art, politics and culture. The artist grew into a key figure in the civil rights global Black cause by photographing the sports icon prior to his historic Zaire bout in that era.
He was appointed the exclusive image creator for the Jackson 5's continental journey, and later assumed the role of the official visual chronicler for the legendary Harlem venue, creating an extraordinary portfolio of musical pioneers. Alongside his brother, he emerged as the driving force behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to appear in the community.
Personal Journey
Brathwaite's son Kwame Jr is interviewed the their quest to ensure appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was hurtfully excluded in Washington DC's National Museum of African American History and Culture, opened by the former president in 2016.
The film additionally explores the inexpressibly painful inspiration of Brathwaite's interest in photography: the disturbing pictures of the lynching martyr, the adolescent Black lynching victim whose grieving mother courageously demanded an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racist violence might not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Empowerment
From this vision of horror, the visionary found a form of anti-epiphany that directed him toward photographs of community. His images were eloquent of celebratory strength and typically subtle in messaging: he developed a new symbolic representation of empowerment upon which activist groups could mobilize.
It is an inspiring testament of creative genius that continues to inspire across generations.
