I have been a fan of Martha Cooper's work since 1984 when I picked up a copy of Subway Art. It wasn’t until years later that I came across her other works collected in Street Play, New York State of Mind, and Hip Hop Files. The photographs she captured in those publications mirror many familiar emotions of growing up in Baltimore.

I chose this particular image of the couple to reference for my Coney Art Wall, because it resonates with a summertime vibe. I included the handball court with faded graffiti to help set the mood of NYC in the 1980s. A most inspiring time for me when the creativity of a youth sub-culture, that later became Hip Hop, changed the course of my life.

chrisstain.com

About Chris Stain

I was first inspired by NYC subway graffiti art in the mid 80's. In high school I was taught printmaking methods that eventually shifted my art making technique toward stenciling. Inspired by Punk, early Hip Hop, and Street Photography, my stencil work explores the human experience within urban environments. I currently work as a Scenic Artist in NYC as a member of USA Local 829.