Photographer Martha Cooper has left an enduring impression on both the realm of photography and the broader art scene. Celebrated for her portrayal of urban street art and graffiti culture, Cooper’s career embodies her profound enthusiasm for storytelling and her exceptional talent for seizing ordinary moments. Her creations surpass traditional photography, acting as historical documentation of cultural phenomena.
Born in Baltimore in 1943, Cooper embarked on her career as a photojournalist, contributing to various news organizations. However, it was her pioneering publication, Subway Art, co-created with photographer and videographer Henry Chalfant in 1984, that solidified her legacy in the chronicles of photography and art. The book captured the lively graffiti culture within New York City’s subway system during the late 1970s and early 1980s and has been deemed by many as the “Bible of Street Art.” It granted global acknowledgment to a subculture frequently overlooked and branded as vandalism, providing graffiti artists with a platform and raising their creations to a respected art form.
Cooper’s impact stretches well beyond the sphere of photography. Her work assisted in legitimizing street art as a dynamic and motivating cultural phenomenon. Countless artists, photographers, and filmmakers derived inspiration from an art movement that many disregarded. She illustrated that photography could connect the divide between what were perceived, at that time, as established artistic institutions and grassroots creativity, challenging traditional definitions of art.
Apart from the book Subway Art, Cooper has authored several additional works, including Street Play and Tokyo Tattoo 1970. These collections showcase her adaptability and her commitment to capturing human creativity and perseverance, ensuring her identity as a trailblazer in visual storytelling.
Currently, Martha Cooper continues to be a significant figure in the art realm, inspiring emerging generations of photographers and artists. Her legacy serves as a potent reminder of photography’s significance in documenting culture, challenging societal expectations, and fostering a deeper appreciation for the beauty present in our surroundings. In the video above from Beyond the Frame, witness a brief insight into the life and contributions of this crucial and impactful photographer. For when many perceived vandalism, she recognized art.