I was honored to be invited to a press preview at the DIA for an upcoming exhibit, Black is Beautiful.
The Detroit Institute of Arts, in collaboration with Aperture traveling exhibitions, presents Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite.
The exhibit highlights the life and career of Brathwaite in the 1950s and 1960s, and his influence on the “Black is Beautiful” movement. The retrospective includes large scale, color works by Brathwaite, an influential activist, photographer and co-founder of the African Jazz-Arts Society and Studios.
The Detroit Institute of Arts, in collaboration with Aperture traveling exhibitions, presents Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite.
The exhibit highlights the life and career of Brathwaite in the 1950s and 1960s, and his influence on the “Black is Beautiful” movement. The retrospective includes large scale, color works by Brathwaite, an influential activist, photographer and co-founder of the African Jazz-Arts Society and Studios.
Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite is the first major exhibition dedicated to Brathwaite, an important figure of the second Harlem Renaissance. The retrospective opens to the public on October 8, 2021, and will be on view through January 16, 2022.
Inspired by activist and black nationalist Marcus Garvey's writings, Brathwaite, along with his older brother, Elombe Brath, founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) and the Grandassa Models.
Inspired by activist and black nationalist Marcus Garvey's writings, Brathwaite, along with his older brother, Elombe Brath, founded the African Jazz Arts Society and Studios (AJASS) and the Grandassa Models.
AJASS was a collective of artists, playwrights, designers, and dancers. Grandassa Models-- the subject of much of the exhibition's contents— was a modeling agency for black women, founded to challenge white beauty standards. The exhibition includes documentary photographs of stunning studio portraits, fashion work, to behind-the-scenes images of Harlem's artistic and jazz community.
An exploration of Brathwaite's life and work, the exhibition has three sections that highlight Brathwaite’s photographic interests from the late 1950s through 1970.
Part I
This segment includes portraits of Brathwaite + members of AJASS, and features work showcasing Harlem jazz clubs and festivals in New York City.
This segment includes portraits of Brathwaite + members of AJASS, and features work showcasing Harlem jazz clubs and festivals in New York City.
Part II
This section celebrates people and places through photography. These images depict Black economic independence, political consciousness and self-representation. Brathwaite was an integral force behind the “Black is Beautiful” movement. Through his photos, he promoted shops and storefronts where Black-owned businesses were located.
This section celebrates people and places through photography. These images depict Black economic independence, political consciousness and self-representation. Brathwaite was an integral force behind the “Black is Beautiful” movement. Through his photos, he promoted shops and storefronts where Black-owned businesses were located.
Part III
The third segment features music and fashion as represented by the Grandassa Models. This portion includes fashion shoots, promotional poster designs, and album cover art. Included alongside the images are original pieces of handcrafted African-inspired jewelry and clothing.
The third segment features music and fashion as represented by the Grandassa Models. This portion includes fashion shoots, promotional poster designs, and album cover art. Included alongside the images are original pieces of handcrafted African-inspired jewelry and clothing.
The exhibition opens to the public on October 8.
Please note: All museum visitors are required to make advance reservations in order to control capacity. Reservations can be made at dia.org or by calling 313-833-4005. Please review covid protocols which can be found here.
Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite is organized by Aperture, New York and Kwame S. Brathwaite, with major support provided by Cadillac.
Please note: All museum visitors are required to make advance reservations in order to control capacity. Reservations can be made at dia.org or by calling 313-833-4005. Please review covid protocols which can be found here.
Black Is Beautiful: The Photography of Kwame Brathwaite is organized by Aperture, New York and Kwame S. Brathwaite, with major support provided by Cadillac.
Stay tuned for two upcoming events at the DIA, in conjuction with the Black is Beautiful exhibition:
The New Black Vanguard | December 14, 2021
An exhibition curated by Antwaun Sargent, curator + critic. This exhibit features a new generation of black photograpers.
Kwame S. Brathwaite | Date TBD
A lecture by Kwame S. Brathwaite, son of Brathwaite. Kwame S. Brathwaite currently serves as the director of the Kwame Brathwaite Archive in Pasadena, California.
More details to follow as they become available.
The New Black Vanguard | December 14, 2021
An exhibition curated by Antwaun Sargent, curator + critic. This exhibit features a new generation of black photograpers.
Kwame S. Brathwaite | Date TBD
A lecture by Kwame S. Brathwaite, son of Brathwaite. Kwame S. Brathwaite currently serves as the director of the Kwame Brathwaite Archive in Pasadena, California.
More details to follow as they become available.
