Gauntlet Gallery — Martha Cooper Print Index
Chem Trails (Bowery Wall NYC)
Summary
Chem Trails is a 2014 photographic giclee documenting Maya Hayuk's mural on the Bowery Wall in New York, photographed by Martha Cooper. Printed on Somerset satin paper in an edition of 100 at 35.5 x 61 cm, the print is signed by Maya Hayuk, uniting the muralist's authorship with Cooper's documentary photography.
Why It Matters
The Bowery Wall is one of New York's most closely watched public mural sites, and Hayuk's Chem Trails was a notable installation there. This edition captures that work in a collectible format signed by the muralist herself. The Cooper-Hayuk pairing gives collectors both a documentary photographer's record and the mural artist's direct endorsement.
Collector Perspective
Note the signature here is Maya Hayuk's, with Cooper credited as photographer, so buyers should understand the authorship split. Somerset satin is a respected fine-art paper; inspect for handling marks along the wide 61 cm format. The Bowery Wall association is a strong talking point and helps situate the edition within a well-known public art lineage.
Historical Context
The Bowery Wall at Houston Street has hosted rotating murals since the 1980s, from Keith Haring onward, becoming a landmark of New York public art. Maya Hayuk's brightly patterned Chem Trails took its turn on the wall, and Cooper's photograph preserves it. The print reflects the collaborative documentation culture surrounding these temporary installations.
FAQ
Who signed this print?
It is signed by Maya Hayuk, the muralist, with Martha Cooper credited as the photographer.
What is the edition size?
It is an edition of 100.
What paper and size is used?
It is a giclee print on Somerset satin paper, measuring 35.5 x 61 cm.
What does the title refer to?
Chem Trails is the title of Maya Hayuk's mural on the Bowery Wall in New York City that the print documents.
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.