History has seen countless engaging films focusing on visual artists: Tish Murtha. Perhaps cinematic storytelling naturally comes alive when displaying particularly vivid photographs. Here we have a new remarkable case, directed by creator Yemi Bamiro, chronicling the extraordinary life's work of Kwame Brathwaite—an artist, performer and civil rights advocate who exemplified a distinct cultural-activist vision.
In partnership with his sibling Elombe, he effectively created the slogan “Black Is Beautiful” during the 1960s by capturing the Grandassa Models in New York: youthful women of color who emerged as the transformative archetype for visual appeal, rejecting traditional beauty standards and the predominant Eurocentric model of female beauty.
The Impact of a Revolutionary Slogan
The iconic phrase evolved into a transformative call to action, an inspired concise declaration for progress. Merely declaring that black people radiated beauty became a transformative influence in society, activism and creative expression. The artist emerged as a key figure in the social justice African diaspora movement by documenting the legendary boxer prior to his historic Zaire bout in 1974.
He was appointed the primary visual documentarian for the band's continental journey, and later was named the resident artist for the historic Apollo theatre, assembling an extraordinary portfolio of African American artists. Alongside his sibling, he emerged as the central figure behind securing Nelson Mandela to address the public in New York.
Family Legacy
Brathwaite's son the younger Brathwaite recounts the their quest to secure due acknowledgment for his family heritage after he was painfully ignored in the nation's capital's Smithsonian institution, inaugurated by the political leader in recent years.
The film further reveals the deeply tragic origin of the artist's passion for visual storytelling: the horrendous photographs of the young victim, the young African American lynching victim whose grieving mother courageously demanded an public viewing so the violent nature of racist violence could not be hidden.
From Tragedy to Empowerment
In this image of tragedy, the visionary found a form of profound understanding that led him toward photographs of aspiration. His photographs powerfully conveyed celebratory strength and typically nuanced in approach: he developed a new iconography of strength through which political movements could gather.
This represents an captivating record of artistic vision that continues to empower across generations.
