BELVEDERE - MARTHA HENRY & BLADE

In our latest exclusive Luxury Reborn video graffiti godfather Blade hooks up with legendary Subway Art photographers Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant to share stories about downtown New York, the early days of street art and why true luxury is the freedom to express yourself creatively

One of the first wave of New York train writers who paved the way for the subsequent graffiti explosion, Blade painted thousands of subway trains from 1973-1983, inspiring a generation of budding artists and earning himself the title King of Graffiti. Later, he was one of the first graffiti artists to take his work into the downtown gallery scene, transforming 75 foot graffiti letters into 20 inch letters as he took paintings of trains onto canvas using the spray can.

Photographers Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant are still best known for their pioneering, hugely-influential book Subway Art, which documented New Yorks graffiti scene and inspired thousands of would-be street artists around the world, including our very own Banksy.

Published in 1984, Subway Art recently celebrated its 25th anniversary with a lavish oversized collectors edition, bringing Blade, Martha and Henry together for the London launch party at Shoreditchs Black Rat gallery, where we caught up with them.

Marthas other books of note include Hip Hop Files: Photographs 1979-1984 while Henry co-produced and did the background research and photo-documentation for iconic film, Style Wars, still the best film ever made about graffiti. More recently he has completed a documentary about the South Bronx, From Mambo to Hip Hop; A South Bronx Tale.

Category:

Entertainment

Tags:

• Belvedere
• Vodka
• Graffiti
• Interview

[mednyc2]

comet and blade, true pioneers, true kings. i remember all those top to bottoms, you guys made the trains look beautiful, untill cap came along with that mpc shit. i wish i could relive those days. i was a late bloomer but i did my lil thing with kd 86 to 91, im sure you guys inspired a lot of artists. peace! medkd.

[bugstrut]

The Jew Man? Isn't he mentioned in a song by Pete Nice and Daddy Rich, on their album 'Dust to Dust'?

[sweetpelon]

Damn this nigga wont shut up

[howeverclever]

@mrcomet1971

If this is the one and only graffiti artist comet, I just have to tell you, you are a true legend and pioneer. You were there at the begining of an art form that has inspired millions around the world. Thank you for your contributions to this beautiful art we call graffiti. If it was not for you and all the original graffiti kings of New York, I would not have the fulfillment I have in my life now. THANK YOU!!!

[stevio]

Love for Henry, Martha and Blade - definitely some knowledge shared here, but Belvedere are bogus leeches for this Luxury Reborn series. Leave hip hop alone!

[mrcomet1971]

no beef,,lieing again..you did,t like alot of writers..i did,t either...the truth will set you free..as long as i,m back there will be no more lie,s...your going to here me everyday...every single day until you tell these people the truth..i,m watching blade...

[mrcomet1971]

o, by the way people..while i was away in a 5 by 9 cell..your famous blade did,nt even write ,or visit me..not much to say about a true partner..tell them the truth blade..i,m still waiting...comet..2009...

[mrcomet1971]

seems like time is not on your side..your ratings are low..but i,m trying to at least help you..lets give blade a helping hand..they say that cucumber can take the bages aways..message for the day..

[mrcomet1971]

seems like i,m your only fan..your voice sounds hard..try a vices larginger,it should do the job..see ya soon..

[mrcomet1971]

yes,,,all that esplanade with comet..every last train..