History has seen countless compelling documentaries about visual artists: Tish Murtha. It could be the documentary format naturally comes alive when showcasing exceptionally powerful photographs. Now arrives another remarkable example, from writer-director Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, artist and social justice champion who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist perspective.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he effectively created the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the sixties by documenting the African American women in Harlem: emerging women of color who became the sensational template for beauty, abandoning conventional grooming practices and the usual Caucasian model of womanhood.
The Impact of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a radical rallying cry, an inspired three-word declaration for progress. Just stating that black people possessed beauty emerged as a transformative influence in culture, politics and the arts. The artist emerged as integral to the civil rights African diaspora struggle by documenting Muhammad Ali prior to his legendary Rumble in the Jungle in 1974.
He became the official photographer for the Jackson 5's African tour, and eventually was named the resident artist for the iconic cultural institution, assembling an extraordinary portfolio of musical pioneers. In collaboration with his sibling, he became the driving force behind securing the anti-apartheid icon to speak in New York.
Family Legacy
Brathwaite's son his namesake is interviewed the family's campaign to ensure appropriate credit for his father's legacy after he was hurtfully overlooked in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, opened by the political leader in recent years.
This documentary also recounts the deeply tragic origin of Brathwaite's interest in image making: the shocking photographs of Emmett Till, the adolescent civil rights murder victim whose mourning family member courageously demanded an open coffin so the violent nature of bigoted brutality would not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Hope
In this image of violence, the visionary discovered a kind of anti-epiphany that led him toward photographs of aspiration. His images beautifully expressed empowering beauty and frequently subtle in messaging: he developed a innovative visual language of strength upon which activist groups could mobilize.
This represents an exhilarating chronicle of creative genius that still empower decades later.
