Australian director Selina Miles cut her teeth in Brisbane, picking up a camera to document the graffiti artists around her, even editing and shooting a bunch of videos for us here at Lak for many years (who hasn’t seen ‘Limitless’?). Fast forward ten years, and Selina has had a colourful career as a filmmaker – documenting some of the world’s best artists, creating a documentary TV series, directing commercials, and more. Her latest venture sees her trailing iconic photographer Martha Cooper to create a feature length documentary about Martha’s life titled ‘Martha: A Picture Story’, in Australian cinemas November 28.
We know Martha Cooper as one of the most adored and influential members of the graffiti and street art worlds. For many of us, the impact of her photography is the reason we started painting. She quite literally changed our lives. Yet, outside of our world, Martha is almost unknown. Perhaps ‘the most iconic photographer the worlds never heard of’.
A tiny, grey-haired figure running alongside crews of masked graffiti artists, Martha Cooper is an unexpected icon of the movement.
In the 1970’s, as the boroughs of New York City burned, she worked as a photographer for the New York Post, seeking images of creativity and play where others saw crime and poverty. As a result, she captured some of the first images of New York graffiti, at a time when the city had declared war on this new culture. Martha and her co-author Henry Chalfant compiled these images into the book Subway Art. However, the commercial failure of the book forced Martha to leave graffiti behind, moving on to document many other hidden cultures of New York.
20 years later Martha discovers she has become a legend of the graffiti world – a culture that has now exploded into a global movement. Subway Art became one of the most sold – and stolen – art books of all time, photocopied and shared by graffiti artists for decades.
At 75 years of age, Martha finds herself navigating a culture vastly changed. The small community born from struggle and adversity has grown into a commercial industry fuelled by the rise of social media. Now every new piece of street art is immediately uploaded, and crowds line up for selfies in front of popular works. Martha struggles to find her place in this new world, driven by a passion for capturing the creativity that helps people rise above their environment.
To celebrate the Australian release of Martha: A Picture Story, in cinemas across Australia from November 28, we’re giving away some great prizes including the chance to see the film with a friend.
Grand Prize: 1 x Subway Art book – Signed by Martha Cooper. 1 x in-season double pass to see the film in Australia, and an Ironlak Strikers sketching pack (valued at $300).
Plus 10 x in-season double passes for runners’ ups.
To enter, simply enter your email address below. Open to Australian residents only.
Competition closes Monday, 25 November
THE COMPETITION IS CLOSED – WINNERS HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.
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