Subway Art...

I bought this book when it was first published in the UK back in 1984.
I was heavily into the breakdance scene and used to carry a huge ghetto blaster around with me just about everywhere I’d go, pumping out electro boogie, hip hop and breakbeats at full volume. It was an exhilarating time with new and exciting music coming from across the pond born out of the Bronx in New York City. My friends and I would often be found body popping and breakdancing on a tatty bit of lino in the inner city, towns, streets and parks of Nottingham.

Graffiti was also becoming popular. This fresh form of art seemed to be inextricably linked with the hip-hop scene.
As a young boy graffiti had a huge impact on me with its fantastic and intricate typographic scrawls, bold characters and dazzling colours.
It wasn’t too long before I was filling sketch book after sketch book with my own designs and throwing up pieces in and around my neighbourhood.

Subway Art was a revelation. It was the first book of its kind to bring graffiti to the attention of the world. Apparently it was also the most stolen book at the time, going missing from shops and libraries everywhere.
In fact, I remember the day I went to purchase my copy. I searched all over the store but couldn’t find it anywhere. When I enquired about the book the shop assistant said, “Ah yes, we have them in the stock room. I will go an fetch a copy for you.” When he returned with it he explained that they couldn’t keep them on display anymore because too many were being stolen!

For people like myself who were into the scene Subway Art was the bible.
It got me drawing and designing and I will go as far as to say that it was this book that focussed my attention on art and design in general.

So, hats off to Martha Cooper and Henry Chalfant for bringing us this beautiful and special publication. I have you both to thank, in part, for the career I chose to follow and the love I developed for Art and Design.

This year, a special 25th Anniversary Edition of the book has gone on sale.
I for one will be purchasing a copy!

Emelbi.