Biografi Martha Cooper

Martha Cooper is one of the world’s foremost photographers of urban culture. She documented the early history of a youth culture that would become known as Hip Hop, and helped spread it all over the world with the photographs in the groundbreaking book Subway Art (1984), to date one of the most sold art books ever.
After long journeys in the Far East, Martha was offered work at the New York Post in 1977. When returning to the office in the afternoon she often stopped At Lower East Side, at that time a very poor neighborhood in Manhattan. There she documented kids playing on the streets, photos that can be found in the excellent Street Play (2005).
She learned to know the young graffiti writer He 3 who introduced Martha to the legendary graffiti writer Dondi. From 1980 Martha spent more and more time on documenting the graffiti culture on the subways in New York City.
Martha also documents the everyday life of the citizens of New York. A work that is seen in the fascinating book R.I.P. - Memorial Walls (1990).
During the 1990’s the increasing interest in the early Hip Hop culture led to new book projects.
Hip Hop files (2004) is the definite book about Martha Cooper’s years in the early Hip Hop scene.
In the last year Martha is working for women in Hip Hop. The book We B* Girlz has developed into a monthly news letter and festivals, pushing women’s role in Hip Hop.
During 2007 the magnificent book New York State of Mind was released with Marta’s pictures from the gritty and bankrupt, but also dynamic and creative 1970’s New York.
Martha regularly travels to Europe for free lance photographic work and exhibitions. She lives in New York.

Books:
Subway Art (with Henry Chalfant), 1984 Thames & Hudson
R.I.P. - Memorial Walls (with Joseph Sciorra), 1990 Thames & Hudson
Hip Hop Files, 2004 From Here to Fame
Street Play, 2005 From Here to Fame
We B* Girlz (with Nika Kramer), 2005 Powerhouse Books
New York State of Mind, 2007 Powerhouse Books