Follow Legendary Documentary Photographer Martha Cooper

To say that photographer Martha Cooper is prolific would be an understatement. Working with National Geographic and The New York Post Cooper has always been a documentary photographer in the truest sense of the word. In the current era of click bait, insta-photographers and lists on lists, there are very few true journalists working in today’s internet culture, and still globetrotting as she approaches 80 Cooper manages to stay relevant as other photographers have come on gone. When she was in Detroit for our Murals In The Market mural festival we worked on this extremely special limited edition print Top To Bottom, and we are very excited to present our debut release with the iconic photographer. Check out detail shots and grab one of only 20 limited editions on sale beginning Nov. 17th exclusively on 1xRUN.

Martha Cooper Photo by Sal Rodriguez

Martha Cooper – Photo by 1xRUN Contributing Photographer Sal Rodriguez

In the 1960s she interned for National Geographic her intent to become a photographer for the magazine best known for showcasing vibrant underground cultures around the world. When that didn’t pan out at first it didn’t deter Cooper, as she returned to New York City to work as a staff photographer at the New York Post. Throughout her photography career Cooper has focused on several recurring subjects, including children at play which in turn led her to become one of the lead documentarians of the 1970s and 1980s graffiti scene in New York City.

A photo posted by @marthacoopergram on

It would be this vein that would open up Cooper to the burgeoning graffiti movement growing in New York City in the 1970s. After meeting Dondi the rest was history. Cooper would go on to be one of the most influential forces in graffiti to date, not only showcasing the artists, but working with them to document and disseminate their work. This exclusive photo comes from Martha Cooper’s archives and showcases Dondi between two trains in the yard, hard at work. We are honored to showcase this edition and encourage everybody to follow Martha Cooper @marthacoopergram as she continues to shine a light on kids at play…even if sometimes they are big kids.

A photo posted by @marthacoopergram on

Follow more from Martha and be sure to snag her Top To Bottom release which goes on sale at 12pm EST on Nov. 17th. 

-1xRUN