SJK 171, aka Steve the Greek (born c.1957) is a New York City

graffiti artist Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...

who was active during the late 1960s and 1970s. A native of Washington Heights, he was a founding member of

United Graffiti Artists United Graffiti Artists (aka UGA) was an early American graffiti artists collective, founded in 1972 by Hugo Martinez in New York City. UGA was the first organized group of writers, and the first to promote graffiti as a high art. Martinez, then a ...

, one of the first professional graffiti collectives.

History

SJK 171 attended the

High School of Art and Design The High School of Art and Design is a career and technical education high school in Manhattan, New York City, New York State, United States. Founded in 1936 as the School of Industrial Art, the school moved to 1075 Second Avenue in 1960 and more ...

along with a number of other early graffiti artists, including

Tracy 168 TRACY 168 (born Michael Tracy in 1958) is an American graffiti artist. He pioneered the art form known as Wildstyle. Tracy 168 came to be known as one of the most influential graffiti and street artists of all time, as variations of Wild Style wri ...

and Al Diaz, co-creator of

SAMO Samo (–) founded the first recorded political union of Slavic tribes, known as Samo's Empire (''realm'', ''kingdom'', or ''tribal union''), stretching from Silesia to present-day Slovakia, ruling from 623 until his death in 658. According to ...

, 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 Keith Allen Haring (May 4, 1958 – February 16, 1990) was an American artist whose pop art emerged from the New York City graffiti subculture of the 1980s. His animated imagery has "become a widely recognized visual language". Much of his wor ...

. SJK 171 is also credited with pioneering the use of arrows in

graffiti Graffiti (plural; singular ''graffiti'' or ''graffito'', the latter rarely used except in archeology) is art that is written, painted or drawn on a wall or other surface, usually without permission and within public view. Graffiti ranges from s ...

writing around this same time. In 1972, he was hired by the

Joffrey Ballet The Joffrey Ballet is one of the premier dance companies and training institutions in the world today. Located in Chicago, Illinois, the Joffrey regularly performs classical and contemporary ballets during its annual performance season at Lyric O ...

to paint his designs, live, in the stage production of

Twyla Tharp Twyla Tharp (; born July 1, 1941) is an American dancer, choreographer, and author who lives and works in New York City. In 1966 she formed the company Twyla Tharp Dance. Her work often uses classical music, jazz, and contemporary pop music. Fr ...

's ballet

Deuce Coupe ''Deuce Coupe'' is a ballet by choreographer Twyla Tharp, set to music by the Beach Boys, for the Joffrey Ballet. The ballet has been in their repertory in several redactions since the 1970s, and is still being danced. ''Deuce Coupe'' is often r ...

, along with other graffiti artists, including

Stay High 149 Wayne Roberts (October 20, 1950 – June 11, 2012), known as Stay High 149, was an American graffiti artist. Career Roberts was born in Emporia, Virginia, moving to the Bronx, New York at age six. He was called a "superstar" of the graffiti ...

. In 1973, SJK 171 was featured in a ''

New York Magazine ''New York'' is an American biweekly magazine concerned with life, culture, politics, and style generally, and with a particular emphasis on New York City. Founded by Milton Glaser and Clay Felker in 1968 as a competitor to ''The New Yorker'', ...

'' essay on graffiti art by Richard Goldstein.

Gallery and show appearances

1973: A collaborative mural bearing SJK 171's tag, along with those of

PHASE 2 Michael Lawrence Marrow (August 2, 1955 – December 12, 2019), known as PHASE 2 and Lonny Wood, was an American aerosol paint artist based in New York City. Mostly active in the 1970s, Phase 2 is generally credited with originating the "bubble l ...

and a dozen other early graffiti artists, was the main attraction at a gallery show of graffiti art at Razor Gallery in

SoHo Soho is an area of the City of Westminster, part of the West End of London. Originally a fashionable district for the aristocracy, it has been one of the main entertainment districts in the capital since the 19th century. The area was develop ...

. SJK 171 was also one of several graffiti writers featured in the backdrop design for the Joffery Ballet's production of ''Deuce Coupe''. 2014: SJK 171's work is included in the permanent collection of The Museum of the City of New York. 2018-2019: SJK 171 was included in "Beyond the Streets", a street art exhibition displayed in Los Angeles and New York.

History

Gallery and show appearances

References

Further reading