Carlos Mare 139 Rodriguez contributed two wonderful abstractions of b-boys on charcoal on paper for Martha Cooper : Remix (April 9 - May 7, 2011) at Carmichael Gallery. Here are some of his thoughts on the importance of Martha and her documentation during such a significant period in New York City’s recent history.
Marty has been a fixture in our world with a keen eye to the nuances of our art and culture as it develops and wherever it takes place, it is her instinct to capture what others sometimes regard with fleeting disposal. Her recorded images are timeless and endearing to a very special time in NYC history, from the street kids playing among rubble strewn lots, to grand train productions and frenetic B-Boy battles. I rediscover my innocence and creative journey in her photos; sometimes it’s a heartbreaking reminder of what was lost, sometimes a joyful realization as to how far we have come. This is the power in her work.
Images: B-Boy 1 and B-Boy 2, both 2011, charcoal on paper, 18 x 24in (46 x 61cm).
© Carlos Mare 139 Rodriguez. Courtesy the artist and Carmichael Gallery, Los Angeles
11th May 2011
Reblogged From carmichaelgallery
Notes: 10
Fantastic video by Charlie Inman of VNA Magazine on Martha Cooper about her work as a photographer and her participation in Art In The Streets at MOCA.
(via mssmishka)
Martha Cooper at the REMIX opening @CarmichaelLA Saturday night. The show is fantastic. Such swagger and joy.
Henry Chalfant, too! Grab a copy of their wonderful book, Subway Art: 25th Anniversary, if you don’t have it on your bookshelf yet!
Happy Holidays from Martha Cooper! This piece is on view through January 15, 2011 at Wreck The Walls, Subliminal Projects’ winter group show.
Martha Cooper, Happy Holidays by Jason (J.SON) & Richie (Seen), 1982, digital c-print, signed edition of 100, 20.32 x 30.48cm.
Photo by Brandon Shigeta via Arrested Motion.
Martha Cooper has a show opening at Inoperable Gallery on November 11. Stop by if you live in Vienna! It runs through December 18, 2010.
I love Martha’s work and the above photo of Lady Pink from 1981 is particularly awesome.
Visit the gallery’s website for more information on the show.
As Martha Cooper’s a lovely person and a great photographer, and Dondi is probably my favorite graffiti artist, I guess it’s no surprise I love these photos she took of him and his work in 1980.
Photo 1: Martha Cooper, Dondi’s Whole Car, Children Of The Grave Part 2, Bronx (1980), digital c print, edition of 12, unframed 15.5 x 19.75 in (39.5 x 50 cm), framed 20.25 x 24.25 in (51.5 x 61.5 cm)
Photo 2: Martha Cooper, Dondi Sketching In His Room With Friends, East New York, Brooklyn (1980), digital c print, edition of 12, unframed 15.5 x 19.75 in (39.5 x 50 cm), framed 20.25 x 24.25 in (51.5 x 61.5 cm)
You can keep up with Martha on her 12oz Prophet blog.
