Mike 171
Encyclopedia
Mike 171 (aka "White Mike", "Mighty Whitey") is one of the earliest New York City graffiti artists of the late 1960s and 1970s. He is generally credited with originating the "Puff Clouds" and "Smoking Guns", a style of accenting graffiti
. His graffiti
dominated the A (New York City Subway service)
of the New York City Transit Authority
. Later, he was one of the founding members of the United Graffiti Artists.
Mike 171 along with SJK 171
and Taki 183
the 2 earliest graffiti artists are both of Greek heritage and both from the very small Greek community in Washington Heights. He began writing in 1968 under the name Mike 171 with SJK 171
. Mike 171 attended George Washington High School
along with gang members from the "Latin Demons", "Galaxies" and the "Latino Army of Light", which a number of them where early graffiti artists like Phil 169, Henry 161, Bobby I, Leo 163 and Felix 163.
artists would use.
In 1972, Mike 171 as one of the founding members of United Graffiti Artists, a professional graffiti
collective which began to attract media attention. He was featured in an important essay on graffiti art by Richard Goldstein
which appeared in New York Magazine and inspired a new generation of graffiti
artists.
The University of Chicago
The Renaissance Society displayed the United Graffiti Artists Collaborative No. 1, 1972 the first Spray enamel on canvas 24” x 36”.
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
. His graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
dominated the A (New York City Subway service)
A (New York City Subway service)
The A Eighth Avenue Express is a rapid transit service of the New York City Subway. Its route bullet is colored blue on route signs, station signs, and the official subway map since it runs on the IND Eighth Avenue Line in Manhattan....
of the New York City Transit Authority
New York City Transit Authority
The New York City Transit Authority is a public authority in the U.S. state of New York that operates public transportation in New York City...
. Later, he was one of the founding members of the United Graffiti Artists.
Mike 171 along with SJK 171
SJK 171
SJK 171 is one of the earliest New York City graffiti artists of the late 1960s and 1970s. He is generally credited with originating the "swiggly lines", a style of outlining graffiti. He was also known as "King of the A-Trains", meaning his graffiti dominated the A of the New York City...
and Taki 183
TAKI 183
TAKI 183 was one of the most influential graffiti writers in its history. His "tag" was short for Demetaki, a Greek alternative for his birth-name Demetrius, and the number 183 came from his address on 183rd Street in Washington Heights...
the 2 earliest graffiti artists are both of Greek heritage and both from the very small Greek community in Washington Heights. He began writing in 1968 under the name Mike 171 with SJK 171
SJK 171
SJK 171 is one of the earliest New York City graffiti artists of the late 1960s and 1970s. He is generally credited with originating the "swiggly lines", a style of outlining graffiti. He was also known as "King of the A-Trains", meaning his graffiti dominated the A of the New York City...
. Mike 171 attended George Washington High School
George Washington High School (New York City)
George Washington High School is a public high school located in the Fort George neighborhood of the Washington Heights section of Manhattan in New York City, New York....
along with gang members from the "Latin Demons", "Galaxies" and the "Latino Army of Light", which a number of them where early graffiti artists like Phil 169, Henry 161, Bobby I, Leo 163 and Felix 163.
Public attention
It was in early 1970s Mike 171 was the first to use the "Puff Clouds" and "Smoking Guns" that years later other GraffitiGraffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
artists would use.
In 1972, Mike 171 as one of the founding members of United Graffiti Artists, a professional graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
collective which began to attract media attention. He was featured in an important essay on graffiti art by Richard Goldstein
Richard Goldstein
Richard Goldstein may refer to:*Richard Goldstein , former editor and writer for The New York Times who has written books on sporting and historical topics...
which appeared in New York Magazine and inspired a new generation of graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
artists.
The University of Chicago
University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is a private research university in Chicago, Illinois, USA. It was founded by the American Baptist Education Society with a donation from oil magnate and philanthropist John D. Rockefeller and incorporated in 1890...
The Renaissance Society displayed the United Graffiti Artists Collaborative No. 1, 1972 the first Spray enamel on canvas 24” x 36”.
External links
- New York Magazine
- Renaissance Society
- team183
- subwayoutlaws.com
- wildstylers.com
- jayquan.com
- at at149st.com
- sixcentz.com
- caam.net
- flint707.com
- Faith & Handstyles: Graffiti Affirmed: A report of a panel discussion with Mike 171, Snake, Jon Naar, Massimo Vignelli, Sara Schiller, and Mike Schiller.