GEORGE MALAVE
By Clara Galvano Rivera
Have you ever had an “AHA” moment that changed the course of your life or career? George Malave, our PRIDA Artist Everyone Should Know had one the first time he was in a dark room. “It was magic.” Malave had been studying art from an early age, but the dark room’s “magic” hooked him good and a camera would become his constant companion.
Born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico and raised in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, Malave earned a degree in photography from SUNY. For his first assignment in class, he decided to capture the street scene in his own ‘hood. Looking at those pictures one can sense the simple freedoms the kids had, which makes one wonder what those kids are doing now. The Varet Street Kids, which took him two years to complete, is just one of the fine photographic essays Malave has created. You can see these essays at www.georgemalave.com.
En Foco Founding Members circa 1974 (top left – right): Charles Biasiny-Rivera, Roger Caban, George Malave (bottom left – right): Phil Dante, Nestor Cortijo
During the 70’s Malave was part of the federally funded CETA Artists Project. Nationally, more than 10,000 artists were employed in cities across the U.S., but more than 500 of those came from New York City. ‘I feel very lucky to have been part of it”, Malave says. There is no arts project right now that hires artists or photographers. We need to help, promote and inspire each other. “ Malave also became associated with En Foco, a non-for-profit organization that “nurtures and supports contemporary, fine art and documentary photographers of color and of diverse cultures.” https://enfoco.org/about/
With work that spans decades, Malave’s photos have been exhibited in many museums like the Museum of the City of New York, Museo de Puerto Rico and the New York Historical Society. His photographs are also in the collection of the New York Public Library. He has self published three books of photographs: The Third Avenue El-Bronx 1972-73; The Tourist, with an introduction by Judd Tully and Creatures with an introduction by A. D. Coleman.
In 2004, he and poet and professor Jose Angel Figueroa began collaborating on a very special book project. Poetic Visions. Contemporary Latino Words and Image is the extraordinary result. It is a book that focuses on celebrating our Puerto Rican heritage through the eyes of photographers and poets. The editors are in the process of finding a publisher. 
Malave’s pictures always tell a story that asks us to connect with the narrative within the image. How does he accomplish this? “I create images that reflect our concerns, our values, what gives us meaning; it’s not just about the image, but about living, what we surround ourselves with. My job is to show that.”
Magic is what happens when a skill becomes art. Art is what we see when George Malave shoots.
Why did you join PRIDA?
Malave: “I believe in what Luis is doing with PRIDA, informing and promoting the culture for the benefit of the many.
What is your favorite work of art?
Malave: “Favorite works of art are the ones that can be felt, not just seen.
They allow one to look at life anew and makes us say wow, look at that.”