We have witnessed countless engaging films about visual artists: Tish Murtha. Maybe cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when showcasing remarkably striking visual compositions. Now comes one more remarkable example, by creator Yemi Bamiro, documenting the extraordinary career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, musician and civil rights advocate who embodied a distinct artistic-political approach.
In partnership with his family member Elombe, he effectively created the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by capturing the Grandassa Models in Harlem: young African American women who became the transformative standard for beauty, moving beyond conventional beauty standards and the usual Eurocentric model of womanhood.
The Influence of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a powerful call to action, an inspired memorable declaration for transformation. Simply stating that African Americans radiated beauty emerged as a transformative power in society, politics and the arts. The artist grew into integral to the Black power African diaspora struggle by documenting the legendary boxer prior to his historic Rumble in the Jungle in that era.
He was appointed the primary image creator for the band's international performances, and eventually was named the official visual chronicler for the historic Apollo theatre, assembling an amazing collection of musical pioneers. Alongside Elombe, he emerged as the key organizer behind arranging for the South African leader to address the public in New York.
Historical Recognition
Brathwaite's son his namesake shares the personal mission to ensure proper recognition for his family heritage after he was painfully overlooked in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, opened by the political leader in 2016.
The feature further reveals the inexpressibly painful origin of Brathwaite's passion for visual storytelling: the disturbing pictures of the lynching martyr, the teenage civil rights lynching victim whose mourning family member courageously demanded an uncovered casket so the horrific reality of racial hatred might not be covered up.
Through Darkness to Hope
From this representation of horror, the artist discovered a kind of anti-epiphany that guided him toward visual representations of beauty. His photographs beautifully expressed empowering beauty and typically not overtly political: he curated a fresh iconography of strength around which political movements could mobilize.
It is an exhilarating testament of artistic vision that continues to inspire across generations.
