A bit of context to begin with.  All over the world there are graffiti writers who will testify that their introduction to graffiti began with one book, Subway Art written by Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant.

Subway Art 25th anniversary hardback cover

In 2009 I queued with literally hundreds of other graffiti fans and graffiti writers to get the Cooper/Chalfant signatures on my new copy of this bible at a book signing held at the Black Rat Press gallery under the railway arches behind Cargo Nightclub as well as NY graffiti legend Blade whose subway graffiti features in some of the most memorable photos in the book.  I recorded the details of that night on my Graffoto Blog.

Martha Cooper photographer! Also feat Henry Chalfant and Blade

Mobbed book signing, Black Rat Press, June 2009

The documentary movie “Martha: A Picture Story” by Australian director Selina Miles does a brilliant job of combining some amazing archive footage with interviews and over- the-shoulder experience photography to present a much more rounded view of Martha Cooper’s life journey and achievements.  The film is being streamed free of charge for two days on the House of Vans website as part of their monthly Doc Nights series.  Somehow, I got to play the role of host for a 30 minute Q&A session with Martha and Selina (first name buddies now, ha ha), I was in London, Selina was in Australia and Martha was in New York so you can imagine I got the best of the deal in terms of timing!

Just as we ended the Q&A and the Docn Roll producer returned

Details on how to obtain access to the film and the Q&A can be found on the House Of Vans Doc Nights page HERE.  Unfortunately it is UK audience only, sorry to those of you outside UK.

Martha Cooper – photo courtesy House Of Vans

Selina Miles, Director – photo courtesy House Of Vans

For the curious, the other tags in the book are friends from Burning Candy who were exhibiting Subway Art art at the event and TRP members also present.

Photos by Dave Stuart except where stated.