"Martha Cooper: Taking Pictures" uses photographs and personal objects to trace Cooper's life, from her first camera in 1946 to her current reputation as a world-famous photographer. The documentary retrospective reveals the photographer's multifaceted view of a world where creativity is found around every corner. The exhibition begins with images from Subway Art, Martha Cooper's landmark book (co-authored with Henry Chalfant,1984) that helped launch the worldwide urban art movement. Her photographs document the then still hidden subculture of young graffiti artists and their illegal artworks on thousands of trains in New York City. Many of her photographs have become iconic representatives of a time, place or culture. In addition, the exhibition features previously unpublished photographs, drawings, journals, articles, letters, and objects - offering a rare glimpse into Cooper's archives. Sketchbooks, stickers, Kodak film bags, and children's toys that Martha Cooper avidly collected throughout her life will also be on view. The focus is also on her extensive travels and her friendships with artists from all over the world.