We have witnessed countless fascinating films focusing on visual artists: Martin Parr. Maybe the film medium naturally comes alive when showcasing remarkably striking still images. Today comes another exceptional instance, by filmmaker Yemi Bamiro, exploring the remarkable life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, musician and African American activist who exemplified a unique cultural-activist approach.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he pioneered the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by photographing the African American women in Harlem: youthful Black women who became the transformative archetype for aesthetics, abandoning typical grooming practices and the predominant Caucasian model of womanhood.
The Power of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a transformative rallying cry, an visionary memorable manifesto for transformation. Just declaring that African Americans possessed beauty became a transformative influence in society, social movements and creative expression. Brathwaite emerged as a key figure in the social justice African diaspora struggle by documenting the sports icon prior to his historic championship fight in the seventies.
He became the primary image creator for the musical group's international performances, and later became the resident artist for the iconic Apollo theatre, assembling an extraordinary portfolio of African American artists. Alongside Elombe, he emerged as the driving force behind bringing the South African leader to speak in Harlem.
Personal Journey
His son the younger Brathwaite is interviewed the family's mission to achieve proper recognition for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully excluded in the nation's capital's National Museum of African American History and Culture, established by the political leader in this century.
The feature also recounts the deeply tragic origin of Brathwaite's interest in photography: the horrendous images of the young victim, the teenage Black lynching victim whose grieving mother courageously demanded an public viewing so the violent nature of racist violence might not be concealed.
Amidst Sorrow to Hope
In this image of violence, the artist encountered a kind of profound understanding that led him toward images of beauty. His photographs powerfully conveyed celebratory strength and often not overtly political: he established a fresh visual language of empowerment around which social causes could unite.
It is an inspiring record of artistic vision that persists in empower across generations.
