| SJK 171 | |
| Birth Name: | Steve Kesoglides |
| Birth Date: | c.1957[1] |
| Birth Place: | Washington Heights, New York City |
| Nationality: | American |
| Field: | Public art Graffiti Painting Street art |
SJK 171, aka Steve the Greek (born c.1957) is a New York City graffiti artist who was active during the late 1960s and 1970s.[2] A native of Washington Heights, he was a founding member of United Graffiti Artists, one of the first professional graffiti collectives.[3]
SJK 171 attended the High School of Art and Design along with a number of other early graffiti artists,[4] including Tracy 168 and Al Diaz, co-creator of SAMO, and began writing in 1968 under the name SJK 171. His work was the first triple outline, large colorful letters to appear on the 1 Line of the New York City Transit System. Some sources have recognized him as a graffiti pioneer and also for originating the "squiggly lines" style of outlining graffiti.
In early 1971, he began to use the "swiggly radiant energy lines" later popularized by Keith Haring.[5] SJK 171 is also credited with pioneering the use of arrows in graffiti writing around this same time.[5] In 1972, he was hired by the Joffrey Ballet to paint his designs, live, in the stage production of Twyla Tharp's ballet Deuce Coupe, along with other graffiti artists, including Stay High 149.[6]
In 1973, SJK 171 was featured in a New York Magazine essay on graffiti art by Richard Goldstein.[7]
1973: A collaborative mural bearing SJK 171's tag, along with those of PHASE 2 and a dozen other early graffiti artists, was the main attraction at a gallery show of graffiti art at Razor Gallery in SoHo.[8] SJK 171 was also one of several graffiti writers featured in the backdrop design for the Joffery Ballet's production of Deuce Coupe.[9]
2014: SJK 171's work is included in the permanent collection of The Museum of the City of New York.[10]
2018-2019: SJK 171 was included in "Beyond the Streets", a street art exhibition displayed in Los Angeles and New York.[11] [12]