National Conference of Artists of New York

Artist Profile

Kwame has been considered the ever-present "photo-documentarian" of the Black Cultural movement, the "keeper of the images." While earning a living as a fashion and entertainment photographer, his primary interest has been the recording of the history of the African Cultural Revolution and the African liberation struggle. Co-founded the African Jazz-Art Society, 1956); The Grandassa Models (Black is Beautiful) 1961 and wearable art shows, AFRIMODA, FashionArt and FashioNations (1986). Kwame's photography business has taken him to over twenty countries in Africa, Europe and the Caribbean. His fashion and entertainment photography has kept him busy with high profile assignments for some of the top names in entertainment and fashion, including Beverly Johnson, Iman, Barbara Smith, Jerri Hall, Peggy Dillard, Cindy Crawford, Frederique, Naomi Campbell, Claudia Schiffer, Tyra Banks, Roshumba and many others. He also has had the honor of being selected by several heads of state to document their travels in the U.S., including President Ahmed Sekou Toure of Guinea, Maurice Bishop of Grenada and President Sam Nujoma of Namibia. Among his most treasured images are his coverage of the funeral of his namesake, Kwame Nkrumah, the independence of Namibia along with the Inauguration of his longtime friend Pres. Sam Njoma, and the inauguration of Nelson Mandela, the later two events are amongst the things for which he had fought for for more than thirty years. “As artists, we are continually plagued with finding ways to balance our socio-political, socio-economic, professional lives as artists, and our financial responsibilities to our families. During this “Golden Age of Black Art”, we must find new ways to put the “gold” into our work, without compromising, commercializing, or sacrificing our responsibilities to our people. We must create new ways to use our art as an instrument for social change. We must use our vision to speak to the souls of our people to help guide them through this new Melanian (the presence of Black or dark pigmentation) where Black art will finally take its rightful place, not only in the hearts of our people, but in the marketplace as well.”

Members & Links   Archives   Regional Archives   About NCA   Become A NCANY Member   NCANY Home   Email NCA   Webmaster