Martha Cooper

Martha Cooper is an esteemed documentary photographer, specializing in capturing urban art and architecture over her 45-year career. She moved to New York City in 1977, where her work as a staff photographer at the New York Post spurred her fascination with graffiti and b-boying, key elements of the emerging hip-hop culture in the Bronx. In 1984, Martha authored Subway Art together with Henry Chalfant, a seminal work that documented and celebrated New York’s graffiti movement, earning her recognition as a foundational figure in urban art photography. Her images, published worldwide, have played an influential role in bringing graffiti and hip-hop culture to international prominence.

Martha’s work has been widely exhibited in museums and galleries and has appeared in publications from National Geographic to Vibe. Her life and career were celebrated in the 2019 documentary Martha: A Picture Story, which premiered at the Triboro Film Festival and is available on Apple TV.