Martha Cooper: Street Shots 1970–2019

Overview

With its variety of vivid styles, colours, tags and images, street art doesn't just look great on walls and subways. It also shines bright in photographs. And, for almost five decades, Martha Cooper has spent her time snapping pictures of street creativity in its many forms. In 1984, with fellow American photographer Henry Chalfant, she literally published the book on the subject — with their collaboration Subway Art considered not just a chronicle of New York's graffiti movement, but its bible.

Cooper hasn't just restricted her focus to the Big Apple, however. From Japan, Haiti and Baltimore to Berlin, Japan and Sao Paulo, she has immortalised street scenes around the world. She sees things that others usually walk straight by — more than that, she takes photos of them — and now the highlights of her career are on display at Brisbane Powerhouse.

Running until Sunday, September 22, Martha Cooper: Street Shots 1970–2019 showcases a diverse array of Cooper's work, and her keen eye for urban art. As well as hopping around the globe, the free exhibition also features her own personal mementos and collections.

Martha Cooper: Street Shots 1970–2019 is on display in Brisbane Powerhouse's Visy Foyer, open from 9am–5pm on Mondays and 9am–9pm Tuesday–Sunday.