History has seen many compelling films about visual artists: Tish Murtha. Maybe the documentary format particularly shines when showcasing exceptionally powerful visual compositions. Now arrives one more outstanding case, by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, exploring the extraordinary career of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and social justice champion who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist perspective.
Together with his sibling Elombe, he virtually invented the expression “Black Is Beautiful” in the 1960s by documenting the Harlem models in Harlem: emerging women of color who emerged as the transformative template for visual appeal, abandoning conventional beauty standards and the predominant Caucasian standard of womanhood.
The Influence of Three Words
This powerful statement transformed into a radical unifying message, an inspired three-word declaration for progress. Simply to assert that people of color were beautiful emerged as a liberating influence in art, politics and culture. The artist emerged as a key figure in the Black power African diaspora cause by photographing Muhammad Ali prior to his historic Rumble in the Jungle in that era.
He served as the official visual documentarian for the band's African tour, and subsequently assumed the role of the resident artist for the iconic Apollo theatre, creating an extraordinary archive of musical pioneers. Together with his sibling, he emerged as the key organizer behind bringing Nelson Mandela to appear in Harlem.
Personal Journey
His son Kwame Jr recounts the their campaign to ensure appropriate credit for his parent's achievements after he was unjustly excluded in the prestigious Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by Barack Obama in this century.
The film additionally explores the inexpressibly painful genesis of the artist's passion for photography: the horrendous pictures of the young victim, the young civil rights lynching victim whose grieving mother courageously demanded an public viewing so the violent nature of bigoted brutality might not be covered up.
From Tragedy to Hope
Through this image of tragedy, the artist found a type of profound understanding that directed him toward images of community. His photographs were eloquent of empowering beauty and typically not overtly political: he developed a new iconography of strength around which political movements could gather.
This represents an inspiring chronicle of creative genius that continues to inspire through the years.
