There have been many engaging films highlighting visual artists: Martin Parr. Maybe the documentary format truly excels when presenting remarkably striking photographs. Now we have another outstanding example, directed by writer-director Yemi Bamiro, exploring the impressive life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, musician and African American activist who exemplified a distinct artistic-political approach.
In partnership with his brother Elombe, he pioneered the phrase “Black Is Beautiful” in the mid-century era by capturing the Grandassa Models in the cultural epicenter: young Black women who transformed into the transformative standard for beauty, moving beyond traditional grooming practices and the established Caucasian standard of womanhood.
The Influence of Three Words
The iconic phrase became a radical unifying message, an visionary three-word prose poem for progress. Just stating that African Americans radiated beauty proved to be a liberating power in art, politics and culture. The artist became integral to the civil rights African diaspora struggle by documenting the sports icon leading up to his historic Zaire bout in the seventies.
He was appointed the official image creator for the musical group's African tour, and eventually assumed the role of the house photographer for the historic cultural institution, creating an incredible collection of African American artists. Together with Elombe, he was the driving force behind arranging for Nelson Mandela to address the public in the community.
Family Legacy
His son the younger Brathwaite shares the personal campaign to achieve proper recognition for his parent's achievements after he was hurtfully ignored in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, opened by Barack Obama in 2016.
The feature additionally explores the deeply tragic genesis of the photographer's dedication to photography: the disturbing images of the young victim, the adolescent Black murder victim whose mourning family member courageously insisted on an public viewing so the brutal truth of racial hatred could not be covered up.
Through Darkness to Hope
In this representation of violence, the visionary encountered a type of profound understanding that guided him toward photographs of aspiration. His images were eloquent of community pride and often subtle in messaging: he developed a new visual language of empowerment upon which social causes could unite.
The documentary stands as an inspiring testament of artistic vision that persists in inspire decades later.
