SJK 171
Encyclopedia
SJK 171 (aka Steve the Greek) 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 (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.
SJK 171 and Taki 183
the 2 earliest graffiti artist are both of Greek heritage and both from the very small Greek community in Washington Heights. He began writing in 1968 under the name SJK 171 with Mike 171
. SJK 171 attended High School of Art and Design
along with a number of other early graffiti artists.
. SJK171 is also credited with pioneering the use of arrows in graffiti
writing around this same time.
In 1972, SJK 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 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....
. He was also known as "King of the A-Trains", meaning 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.
SJK 171 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 artist are both of Greek heritage and both from the very small Greek community in Washington Heights. He began writing in 1968 under the name SJK 171 with Mike 171
Mike 171
Mike 171 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 of the New York City Transit Authority...
. SJK 171 attended High School of Art and Design
High School of Art and Design
The High School of Art and Design is a Career and Technical Education high school located at 1075 Second Avenue, between 56th and 57th Streets in Manhattan, New York City, New York.It is operated by the New York City Department of Education...
along with a number of other early graffiti artists.
Public attention
It was in early 1971 that SJK 171 was the first to use the "swiggly radiant energy lines" that 10 years later were used by Keith HaringKeith Haring
Keith Haring was an artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s.-Early life:...
. SJK171 is also credited with pioneering the use of arrows in graffiti
Graffiti
Graffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
writing around this same time.
In 1972, SJK 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 first Spray enamel on canvas 24” x 36”.
See also
- GraffitiGraffitiGraffiti is the name for images or lettering scratched, scrawled, painted or marked in any manner on property....
- Mike 171Mike 171Mike 171 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 of the New York City Transit Authority...
- Taki 183TAKI 183TAKI 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...
- Keith HaringKeith HaringKeith Haring was an artist and social activist whose work responded to the New York City street culture of the 1980s.-Early life:...
- United Graffiti Artists