Photograph by
Brathwaite, Kwame, American, 1938 - 2023
Subject of
Smith, Kletus, American
Adu, Frank, American, 1937 - 2018
Gumbs, Robert, American, born 1939
Brath, Elombe, American, 1936 - 2014
Baxter, Ernest, American, born 1939
Brathwaite, Sikolo, American, born 1924
Unidentified Woman or Women
African Jazz-Arts Society and Studios, American, founded 1956
Lumumba, Patrice Émery, Congolese, 1925 - 1961
Garvey, Marcus, Jamaican, 1887 - 1940
Apollo Theater, American, founded 1934
Hall, Christopher, American, 1932 - 2005
Harris, Robert, American, born 1929
Date
ca. 1968; printed 2017
Medium
pigment on paper (fiber product)
Dimensions
H x W: 15 × 15 in. (38.1 × 38.1 cm)
Description
A color photograph of Grandassa models and founding AJASS members Kletus Smith, Frank Adu, Bob Gumbs, Elombe Brath and Ernest Baxter captured at the Naturally '68 photo shoot at the Apollo Theater. The ten Grandassa models are standing in the back row with the tallest three at the center and the others in descending height order on either side. Sikolo Brathwaite is depicted standing third from the left. The five men are crouched in a row below the models. From left to right is Smith, Adu, Gumbs, Brath and Baxter. The women are wearing dresses and skirts, most of which are constructed from brightly colored textiles with African-inspired motifs. The men are wearing brightly colored and patterned dashiki shirts over jeans and trousers. Three of the men are holding books. The book held by Smith on the far left is [LITTLE ZENG TAKES US TO / ANCIENT AFRICA] by Christopher N. Hall and Robert Harris. The booklet at the center held by Gumbs reads [NATURALLY ’63 / PORTFOLIO], and the book on the right, held by Brath, is [COLOR / US / CULLUD! / The American Negro Leadership / Official Coloring Book] by Elombe Brath and Christopher Hall. The group is standing on a light tone wooden floor, in front of a dark blue wall. The wall is plastered with posters and flyers for events such as [NATURALLY ’62], [NATURALLY ’63], [NATURALLY ’64], [NATURALLY ’65], [NATURALLY ’67], [GARVEY DAY / CELEBRATION], [a portrait of / PATRICE / LUMUMBA], [[AFRICAN HUT DANCE], [caste-life / REVUE], and others. There are no marks or inscriptions, front or back.
Place captured
Harlem, New York City, New York, United States, North and Central America
Classification
Photographs and Still Images
Movement
Black is Beautiful
BAM (Black Arts Movement 1965-1976)
Type
portraits
inkjet prints
Topic
Activism
African diaspora
Art
Associations and institutions
Beauty culture
Black power
Design
Fashion
Hair
Photography
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
Object number
2021.26.3
Restrictions & Rights
Courtesy of the Kwame Brathwaite Archive & Philip Martin Gallery, © Kwame Brathwaite
Permission required for use. Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd58674ede1-ac95-4d51-8b14-73c228966dc8

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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