Martha Cooper, who
has photographed the beginnings of the New York graffiti scene, will return to
London to host a free seven-day exhibit showing off hundreds of photos’s
of Graffiti art.
Cooper will also
be promoting her new book, “Hip Hop Files.” The book includes the
work of graffiti artists and B-Boys, including contributions from members of
the legendary Rocksteady Crew and others.
Cooper was known
for following various performers and artists around the city and captured countless
amounts of unique moments.
She established
herself by collaborating with Henry Chalfont and released “Subway Diaries”
in 1984. Ten years later, Cooper published “RIP: Memorial Wall Art.”
“Hip Hop
Files” includes images dated between 1979 –1984. The exhibition
features over 240 color and black and white photographs collected, in addition
to other photographers own images.
The introduction
to the book is written by the legendary by ZEPHYR and includes essays by Charlie
Ahearn, Patti Astor, Pop Master Fabel and other participants of the early New
York Hip-Hop scene.
Insightful quotes
and statements by over 70 Hip Hop icons accompany the shots in the book including
Lee, Fab 5 Freddy, Dez aka DJ Kay Slay, Grandmaster Caz, Bobbito, Dondi, Duro,
Blade, See, Lady Pink, Futura 2000 and others.
“Martha is
so awesome to have documented our movement and our culture,” Futura 2000
said of Cooper’s work. “Her contribution to the expansion and influence
of the urban art form becoming a global phenomenon cannot be understated. Martha
Cooper was an (embedded) photographer with the troops on the frontlines.”
The exhibition
will be held at Kingly Court, Oxford Circus, London between noon and 5pm, all
this week. “Hip Hop Files” goes on sale in September in three different
languages: English, German and French.
“Like a New
York City subway ride back to the early 1980’s,” Fab 5 Freddy said.
“This is Hip Hop culture at its all time best. A monumental photographic
achievement for the world.”