We have witnessed many fascinating films about visual artists: Tish Murtha. Perhaps the documentary format naturally comes alive when presenting remarkably striking still images. Today arrives one more remarkable case, by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the remarkable career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and African American activist who represented a special artistic-political vision.
Together with his brother Elombe, he effectively created the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” throughout the mid-century era by documenting the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: youthful Black women who transformed into the sensational standard for beauty, abandoning traditional grooming practices and the established white ideal of female beauty.
The Impact of a Revolutionary Slogan
This powerful statement became a transformative rallying cry, an inspired three-word prose poem for transformation. Simply stating that people of color were beautiful emerged as a transformative force in society, politics and creative expression. The photographer emerged as a key figure in the Black power African diaspora struggle by documenting the legendary boxer prior to his legendary championship fight in 1974.
He became the official image creator for the band's international performances, and later became the house photographer for the iconic Harlem venue, creating an incredible collection of black musicians. Alongside his sibling, he emerged as the driving force behind arranging for the anti-apartheid icon to speak in New York.
Historical Recognition
The photographer's offspring the younger Brathwaite is interviewed the personal quest to achieve appropriate credit for his family heritage after he was hurtfully excluded in the prestigious cultural museum, opened by the former president in recent years.
The feature additionally explores the inexpressibly painful genesis of Brathwaite's passion for photography: the horrendous photographs of Emmett Till, the young African American murder victim whose bereaved parent courageously requested an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racial hatred would not be covered up.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
From this representation of violence, Brathwaite discovered a form of profound understanding that led him toward images of aspiration. His photographs were eloquent of empowering beauty and typically subtle in messaging: he developed a new visual language of empowerment through which activist groups could mobilize.
The documentary stands as an inspiring record of creative genius that still inspire decades later.
