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2021-12-03 Hiram Maristany Visits El Centro Archives

Hiram Maristany

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Hiram Maristany (1945-2022) was born and raised in El Barrio (East Harlem), New York. He was revered as “the people’s photographer of El Barrio” and captured the joy and the struggles of a community coming of age in the 1960s, when young New York–born Puerto Ricans were asserting a new cultural-political identity inspired by the Cuban Revolution, the Chicago Young Lords, and the Civil Rights and Black Power movements. Maristany was one of the founding members of the New York chapter of the Young Lords Party and also their official photographer, capturing some of their most iconic moments. His work is featured in the permanent collections of the Smithsonian American Art Museum, The Whitney Museum of American Art, the National Gallery of Art, The National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, and El Museo del Barrio.

Featured Artwork

Bird's-eye-view of people gathered in an alley surrounded by cars. A central figure roasts a pig on a spit over a fire connected to a custom rig.
Hiram Maristany. Léchon/Roasting Pig in Alley,1971. Gelatin Silver Print. 15 × 18 3/4 in. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center. © 1971, Hiram Maristany
Hydrant water sprays in a high arc over a few people in a NYC street. They shield their faces and jump to touch the water. A few other figures stand off behind the hydrant.
Hiram Maristany. Hydrant: In the Air, 1963. Gelatin silver print. 13 x 17 5/8 in. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center © 1963, Hiram Maristany.
An apartment building that has a fire escape down the front. The words "CASA EVITA" are printed on a sign in front.
Hiram Maristany. Casa Evita, 1965. Gelatin silver print. 18 1/2 × 15 in. Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase through the Smithsonian Latino Initiatives Pool, administered by the Smithsonian Latino Center © 1965, Hiram Maristany.

Resources

The New York Times Logo

Hiram Maristany, 76, Dies; ‘People’s Photographer’ of Spanish Harlem - By Sam Roberts (2022)

New York Times | Article
Smithsonian American Art Museum Logo

Hiram Maristany's Profile

Smithsonian American Art Museum | Article
NPR logo

What Hiram Maristany Saw Looking Through The Lens At El Barrio - By Beck Harlan (2017)

NPR | Article