Gauntlet Gallery — Martha Cooper Print Index
Banksy Wall In NY (Ghetto 4 Life) (First Edition)
Summary
This 2015 edition presents Martha Cooper's photograph of a Banksy wall created in New York during the artist's October 2014 residency. Produced for the Memorie Urbane exhibition at the contemporary museum in Gaeta, Italy, it is limited to 75 signed and numbered prints at 28 x 36 cm, documenting one street-art icon through the eyes of another.
Why It Matters
The piece links three draws for collectors: Cooper's authorship, Banksy's subject matter, and a documented European museum-exhibition origin. Photographs of ephemeral Banksy street works carry particular weight because the original walls rarely survive intact. At 75 signed examples, it offers a scarce, provenance-rich record of a specific New York moment.
Collector Perspective
The Gaeta Memorie Urbane exhibition context is a meaningful provenance anchor, so retain any documentation tying the print to that show. Confirm the signature and numbering within the run of 75. Note the piece documents a Banksy work photographed by Cooper; it is her authored edition, not a Banksy release, which is important to state clearly to buyers.
Historical Context
Banksy's month-long October 2014 New York residency generated intense public attention as new works appeared daily across the city, most quickly altered or removed. Cooper's documentation preserves one such wall. Its 2015 release for an Italian museum exhibition reflects Europe's strong institutional interest in street-art photography during that period.
FAQ
Did Banksy make this print?
No. It is Martha Cooper's photograph of a Banksy wall in New York, issued as her signed and numbered edition.
What is the edition size?
It is limited to 75 signed and numbered prints.
What exhibition is it connected to?
It was produced for the Memorie Urbane 2015 exhibition at the contemporary museum in Gaeta, Italy.
When was the original Banksy wall created?
The wall was created in New York during Banksy's October 2014 residency.
About the Artist
Martha Cooper (born 1943 in Baltimore) is an American photojournalist celebrated for documenting New York City graffiti and street culture in the 1970s and 1980s. A former New York Post staff photographer, she co-authored the landmark 1984 book "Subway Art" with Henry Chalfant, which became a foundational document of graffiti culture worldwide. Her images preserved a transient art form and influenced generations of writers. Cooper continues to photograph street art and urban life globally, and her archive is recognized as an essential visual record of hip-hop and graffiti history.
Collecting Martha Cooper at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying a Martha Cooper photograph?
Seek signed archival or gelatin silver prints with clear edition information, print date, and format. Many of her most famous images from "Subway Art" exist as later signed editions, so confirm the printing and edition size. Gauntlet Gallery documents the print type, edition details, and condition for each Cooper photograph.
How is a Martha Cooper print authenticated?
Authentication depends on the artist's signature, edition numbering, and provenance from a gallery, publisher, or the studio, plus any certificate provided. Matching a print to a documented edition is the key check. Gauntlet Gallery includes the available paperwork and provenance and states the printing method for each work.
What drives value in Martha Cooper's work?
Value is led by her most iconic graffiti and hip-hop images, vintage prints, small edition sizes, signature, and condition. Photographs tied directly to "Subway Art" and the early NYC scene attract the strongest interest. Signed, well-preserved limited editions with solid provenance hold value best.