Renowned photographer Kwame Brathwaite, a key figure in the 'Black is Beautiful' movement of the 1960s and beyond, has passed away at the age of 85. His work continues to garner renewed interest from curators, historians, and collectors.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York's "People's Republic" (now Brooklyn), Brathwaite was drawn to photography by two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955, and observing a young photographer working without flash in a Harlem jazz club in 1956. These experiences ignited his passion for the craft.
Utilizing a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills in capturing the essence of Black music legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others. He achieved this through working with limited light to emphasize the visual narrative of his images.
In addition to his work as a photographer, Brathwaite was an activist who helped push back against whitewashed beauty standards by celebrating Black features through his photographs of models from the Grandassa Models collective. The group's efforts culminated in the annual "Naturally '62" fashion show at the Harlem club, the Purple Manor, which ran until 1992.
Brathwaite also documented historic events such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Commissions from this era saw him photographing Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other notable musicians.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to develop his photography style through the lens of "Black is Beautiful" ethos. His photographs have been featured in prominent exhibitions, including the 2021 retrospective at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, which coincided with a T Magazine profile that noted his declining health.
A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago and will run until July 24.
Born in 1938 to Barbadian immigrants in New York's "People's Republic" (now Brooklyn), Brathwaite was drawn to photography by two pivotal moments: witnessing David Jackson's haunting photograph of Emmett Till in open casket in 1955, and observing a young photographer working without flash in a Harlem jazz club in 1956. These experiences ignited his passion for the craft.
Utilizing a Hasselblad medium-format camera, Brathwaite honed his skills in capturing the essence of Black music legends, including Miles Davis, John Coltrane, Thelonious Monk, and others. He achieved this through working with limited light to emphasize the visual narrative of his images.
In addition to his work as a photographer, Brathwaite was an activist who helped push back against whitewashed beauty standards by celebrating Black features through his photographs of models from the Grandassa Models collective. The group's efforts culminated in the annual "Naturally '62" fashion show at the Harlem club, the Purple Manor, which ran until 1992.
Brathwaite also documented historic events such as the "Rumble in the Jungle" boxing match between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Commissions from this era saw him photographing Nina Simone, Stevie Wonder, Sly and the Family Stone, Bob Marley, and other notable musicians.
Throughout his career, Brathwaite continued to develop his photography style through the lens of "Black is Beautiful" ethos. His photographs have been featured in prominent exhibitions, including the 2021 retrospective at the Blanton Museum of Art in Austin, Texas, which coincided with a T Magazine profile that noted his declining health.
A separate exhibition, "Kwame Brathwaite: Things Well Worth Waiting For," is currently on display at the Art Institute of Chicago and will run until July 24.
He was like a true legend in his own right, not just for his photography but also for being an activist who helped change the way we see beauty 
I mean, his work with Black is Beautiful and celebrating those features is still so relevant today 
And can you even imagine what he would've said about all the beauty standards we have now? Would've been a fire conversation to be had 
Anyway, it's cool that people are still giving him love through these exhibitions in Chicago and Austin 
Ah man, another OG photographer bites the dust... 85 is old, even for someone who's been capturing greatness all these years. I mean, Kwame Brathwaite was like the original hipster – he had his Hasselblad camera before it was cool 
. But seriously, his work is still giving us life. That 'Black is Beautiful' movement he was a part of? Still so relevant today. He was more than just a photographer, though - he was a symbol of resistance against the whitewashed beauty standards that try to erase our identities. 
His legacy lives on through all those iconic pics of jazz legends and musicians... we're gonna miss him 
. He was a true original, man. His pics are still giving me chills to this day. I mean, have you seen those old-school shots of Miles Davis and John Coltrane? Genius stuff. And his work with the Black is Beautiful movement? Totally ahead of its time. It's crazy how much he helped shift the narrative around beauty and identity.
. But at least we've got his legacy to draw from, and his work will keep inspiring new gen of photographers and artists. Long live Kwame, man! 
? He left such an indelible mark on photography and social justice. I mean, can you imagine growing up in Brooklyn with the Civil Rights Movement unfolding around you? 
The way he captured Black music legends, from Miles Davis to Bob Marley, is like a window into another era 
. His 'Black is Beautiful' movement was all about redefining beauty standards and challenging the status quo 
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. He was a true pioneer in capturing the essence of Black culture through his photography. I mean, have you seen those old-school pics of jazz legends? They're like time capsules, right? 
. Anyway, I'm glad the Art Institute of Chicago is giving him some love with that new exhibit - it's a great way to keep his legacy alive 
i loved how he celebrated black features through his work 
it's like, we need more ppl like him promoting positivity & diversity in media 
his legacy lives on thru his photos & exhibitions keepin it real 
The way he captured the essence of Black culture, from music to fashion, was a game-changer. It's crazy to think about how his work helped shape our understanding of beauty standards and representation in media. But you know what's even crazier? How we're still fighting for those same issues today 