Martha Cooper: Name Tagging

Name Tagging looks like another great graffiti photography book from Martha Cooper, who's been doing this since the early days in New York, from a great artbook press, Mark Batty Publisher.  It's due June 8th for general distribution but apparently there's already been a Book Launch Party at the OBEY Pop Up Store in New York.

From the press release:

In her first book with MBP, Going Postal, Cooper documented postal stickers adorned with some of the best-known street artists' work. With Name Tagging, she presents a dizzying array of "Hello My Name Is" stickers adorned with tags, the origin of graffiti and today's street art cultures.

Name Tagging recognizes the variety and innovation of tags, crediting the form's history while demonstrating how old-school methods breed some of today's most exciting graffiti. Cooper's introduction, artist interviews and colorful photographs make clear how artists famed and anonymous take advantage of the accessibility and practicality of name tag stickers. Name Tagging captures the artistry and audacity of these artists and their distinctive tags.

Interviews with ZEPHYR, COST, EDEC, CLAW, TWIST, SURE & FAUST, COSBE, ALONE, CAHBASM, OVERCONSUME and EARWORM reveal the history of this tradition as well as shed light on how some of today's most prolific writers get up.

"Finding an unusual sticker is definitely more challenging than photographing it, but photography is an excellent way of preserving this very ephemeral art form," says Cooper. "Tags written with markers on name badges enable the intricacies and aesthetics of their styles to be studied and appreciated – that's what this book is about."

Related Books by or with Martha Cooper:

Subway Art: 25th Anniversary Edition

Going Postal

Hip Hop Files: Photographs, 1979-1984

New York State of Mind

We B*Girlz

R.I.P: Memorial Wall Art

Over at Hip Hop Press:
Graffiti Photography Legend Martha Cooper presents NAME TAGGING