Martha Cooper

Martha Cooper, born in nineteen forty-three, is a distinguished American photographer and photojournalist renowned for her compelling documentation of urban culture. Her career took off in the 1970s when she served as a staff photographer for the New York Post, capturing the vibrant and often chaotic essence of New York City.

Cooper's most significant contribution to the world of photography came through her exploration of the graffiti scene that flourished in the city during the late seventies and early eighties. Her keen eye for detail and ability to connect with the artists allowed her to create a visual narrative that resonated with both the public and the art community.

In nineteen eighty-four, she collaborated with fellow photographer Henry Chalfant to publish the groundbreaking book Subway Art. This work has been hailed as the graffiti bible, and by two thousand nine, it had achieved remarkable success, selling half a million copies worldwide. Through this publication, Cooper not only documented a fleeting moment in urban art history but also elevated the status of graffiti as a legitimate form of artistic expression.