EXHIBITIONS
Articles, Museums, and Media Coverage
“King of the A Trains” ♔
SJK 171 was coined "King of the A Trains" as stated in the following article: Street Art Originals Cornbread, Shepard Fairey and More on Graffiti’s Radical Change
SJK 171's drawing (left) also shows his signature squiggly lines that he introduced in 1971.
Link: Observer, Catalog of Guernsey's, Art in the Streets
Credit: Guernsey's Auction House, New York City June 14-15, 2000. SNAKE 1's black book sold at auction.
Also shown: United Graffiti Artists catalog, "Artists Space", New York City 1975
SJK 171's drawing (left) also shows his signature squiggly lines that he introduced in 1971.
Link: Observer, Catalog of Guernsey's, Art in the Streets
Credit: Guernsey's Auction House, New York City June 14-15, 2000. SNAKE 1's black book sold at auction.
Also shown: United Graffiti Artists catalog, "Artists Space", New York City 1975
"Squiggly Lines"
In 1971, SJK 171 was the first graffiti artist to use "squiggly lines" in his work, that 10 years later were used by fellow artist Keith Haring. You can read more about his style of writing in the link(s) below.
Resources: City Guide NY, Surface Mag, Beyond the Streets, Medium, Hip Hop In Your Face, American Graffiti Artists (2011) pg. 83, Memorial Art Gallery, Subway Outlaws
Resources: City Guide NY, Surface Mag, Beyond the Streets, Medium, Hip Hop In Your Face, American Graffiti Artists (2011) pg. 83, Memorial Art Gallery, Subway Outlaws
"Classic hits from ... FDT 56, SNAKE 1, STITCH 1, SJK 171, CAT 87, KROME 100, OZ 109. Very famous writers of the early 1970's." - Subway Outlaws
Martinez Gallery - Exhibitions 1972-1973 (NYC), 1985 (Puerto Rico), 2003 (NYC)
Razor Gallery 1973
This was the first ever, in history, gallery to showcase graffiti. This show was credited as the first time graffiti made its way off the streets and into a gallery.
The show was held September 4 - 20, 1973 in New York City.
Link: Specific Object
This was the first ever, in history, gallery to showcase graffiti. This show was credited as the first time graffiti made its way off the streets and into a gallery.
The show was held September 4 - 20, 1973 in New York City.
Link: Specific Object
Artist Space 1975
155 Wooster Street , New York 10012
September 9-27, 1975
*Book courtesy of SJK 171
U.G.A. Exhibitions:
City College of N.Y., November 1972
Razor Gallery, N.Y., September 4-20, 1973
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, May-June, 1974
155 Wooster Street , New York 10012
September 9-27, 1975
*Book courtesy of SJK 171
U.G.A. Exhibitions:
City College of N.Y., November 1972
Razor Gallery, N.Y., September 4-20, 1973
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, May-June, 1974
Deuce Coupe 1973
Joffrey Ballet • Twyla Tharp
February 8, 1973
SJK 171 was hired by Tharp to spray paint the backdrop design live onstage during the Joffrey Ballet performances.
Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation
Resource: New York Times, PBS
Joffrey Ballet • Twyla Tharp
February 8, 1973
SJK 171 was hired by Tharp to spray paint the backdrop design live onstage during the Joffrey Ballet performances.
Twyla Tharp Dance Foundation
Resource: New York Times, PBS
Eric Firestone Gallery 2010
Art Basel: Wynwood, Miami
A collaborative show with other United Graffiti Artists members featured SJK 171's 22'' x 47'' canvas: BLUE SKY.
The painting itself is handmade– from the wood to stretching the canvas. The painting features a unique combination of spray paint and marker.
The featured painting, from 1972, was on loan from a private collection.
Art Basel: Wynwood, Miami
A collaborative show with other United Graffiti Artists members featured SJK 171's 22'' x 47'' canvas: BLUE SKY.
The painting itself is handmade– from the wood to stretching the canvas. The painting features a unique combination of spray paint and marker.
The featured painting, from 1972, was on loan from a private collection.
Museum Features and Collections
Chicago Museum of Science and Industry 1974
May-June 1974
The first ever museum show featuring United Graffiti Artists' work - the Collective Canvas (8' x 30').
The canvas features artists such as: Snake 1, Stitch, Spank, SJK 171, Coco, AMRL, C.A.T. 87, Mico, Phase II, T-Rex 131, Flint 707, Bama.
Resources: Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, New York Times
May-June 1974
The first ever museum show featuring United Graffiti Artists' work - the Collective Canvas (8' x 30').
The canvas features artists such as: Snake 1, Stitch, Spank, SJK 171, Coco, AMRL, C.A.T. 87, Mico, Phase II, T-Rex 131, Flint 707, Bama.
Resources: Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, New York Times
This was the 1st collaborative canvas created by United Graffiti Artists members, circa 1972.
Resources: View Canvas Here, The Renaissance Society, Exhibition Page |
The Renaissance Society Contemporary Art Museum 1984
At The University of Chicago RAPID ENAMEL THE ART OF GRAFFITI October 7-November 10, 1984 A collaborative show was done with A-One, Blade, Daze, Duster, Futura 2000, Koor, Lady Pink, Phase 2, Quick, Lee Quinones, Rammellzee, Kenny Scharf, Toxic, and United Graffiti Artists (which featured members SJK 171, MIKE 171, JEC *, HENRY 161 and others). |
MOCA Los Angeles "Art in the Streets" 2011
The featured painting from the early 1970s was on loan from a private collection.
SJK 171's 10''x 34'' painting titled "Latin Pride" included artists such as: SJK 171, STITCH 1 R.I.P., COCO 144, KROME 100, and MICO.
The show also includes a United Graffiti Artists gallery of photos featuring early pioneers of graffiti art.
The featured painting from the early 1970s was on loan from a private collection.
SJK 171's 10''x 34'' painting titled "Latin Pride" included artists such as: SJK 171, STITCH 1 R.I.P., COCO 144, KROME 100, and MICO.
The show also includes a United Graffiti Artists gallery of photos featuring early pioneers of graffiti art.
Resources: Artsy, Hairpik, Huff Post, Art in the Streets
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Resource: Art in the Streets
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The Museum of the City of New York 2014
SJK 171's work is included in the permanent collection.
SJK 171's work is included in the permanent collection.
Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit July 2016
Screening of Wall Writers and book signing with the artists.
Screening of Wall Writers and book signing with the artists.
Resource: Gingko Press
Museum of the Moving Image 2017
Wall Writers screening January 28, 2017 - part of the Made You Look series.
Resources: Program Page
MOCA Denver 2017
This show featured artists such as: Jean-Michel-Basquiat, Ryan McGinley, Wall Writers
The Wall Writers portion featured work from the early pioneers in street art from Washington Heights, NYC.
Such as, SJK 171, MIKE 171, TAKI 183, COCO 144, SNAKE 1, WICKED GARY, FRITZ, and more.
Philadelphia's crew included CORNBREAD, KOOL KLEPTO KID, LEWIS, COOL EARL, TITY, and more.
This show featured artists such as: Jean-Michel-Basquiat, Ryan McGinley, Wall Writers
The Wall Writers portion featured work from the early pioneers in street art from Washington Heights, NYC.
Such as, SJK 171, MIKE 171, TAKI 183, COCO 144, SNAKE 1, WICKED GARY, FRITZ, and more.
Philadelphia's crew included CORNBREAD, KOOL KLEPTO KID, LEWIS, COOL EARL, TITY, and more.
Beyond the Streets
Featured in Los Angeles, New York City, and more to come...
Beyond the Streets features the work of 150 artists from around the world.
Los Angeles, California 2018
The show includes the cultural beginnings from the late 60s to early 70s of United Graffiti Artists, which was founded in 1972. UGA included 20 of the best graffiti artists in New York City. SJK 171, MIKE 171, TAKI 183, and HENRY 161 were featured as some of the cultivators from the start of graffiti in Washington Heights, New York City.
Also included in the show is Writers Corner 188 (WC188), which began in the early 1970s. WC188 was started by fellow artist STITCH 1 (R.I.P.), SNAKE 1, and ROCKY 184. SJK 171 and MIKE 171 were among its early members.
Writers Corner 188 features artwork by SNAKE 1, SJK 171, STITCH 1, ROCKY 184 and many other of the original writers. (Wall Writers book, pgs. 102-103)
Featured in Los Angeles, New York City, and more to come...
Beyond the Streets features the work of 150 artists from around the world.
Los Angeles, California 2018
The show includes the cultural beginnings from the late 60s to early 70s of United Graffiti Artists, which was founded in 1972. UGA included 20 of the best graffiti artists in New York City. SJK 171, MIKE 171, TAKI 183, and HENRY 161 were featured as some of the cultivators from the start of graffiti in Washington Heights, New York City.
Also included in the show is Writers Corner 188 (WC188), which began in the early 1970s. WC188 was started by fellow artist STITCH 1 (R.I.P.), SNAKE 1, and ROCKY 184. SJK 171 and MIKE 171 were among its early members.
Writers Corner 188 features artwork by SNAKE 1, SJK 171, STITCH 1, ROCKY 184 and many other of the original writers. (Wall Writers book, pgs. 102-103)
Brooklyn, N.Y.C. 2019
Beyond the Streets N.Y.C. features a brand new 2019 "SJK 171" 3' x 4' painting, in collaboration with MIKE 171. This painting is featured below, it is made of acrylic paint and acrylic markers. Also featured is SJK 171's painting from a private collection which dates back to 1972-1973.
Some of the artists included in this show are TAKI 183, SNAKE 1, MIKE 171, SJK 171, JEC *, COCO 144, Wicked Gary Fritz, HENRY 161, and Al Diaz, who also attended High School of Art Design with SJK 171 + more!
Beyond the Streets N.Y.C. features a brand new 2019 "SJK 171" 3' x 4' painting, in collaboration with MIKE 171. This painting is featured below, it is made of acrylic paint and acrylic markers. Also featured is SJK 171's painting from a private collection which dates back to 1972-1973.
Some of the artists included in this show are TAKI 183, SNAKE 1, MIKE 171, SJK 171, JEC *, COCO 144, Wicked Gary Fritz, HENRY 161, and Al Diaz, who also attended High School of Art Design with SJK 171 + more!
Museum of Graffiti 2019
Miami, FL
The Museum of Graffiti is the world's first museum exclusively dedicated to the evolution of the graffiti art form.
The museum is dedicated to the preservation, exhibition, and celebration of graffiti art. (MOG)
Featured in the show are early documentations of this vivid art form by photographers: SJK 171, Flint Gennari, Martha Cooper, Jim Prigoff, John Naar, Henry Chalfant, and more.
Miami, FL
The Museum of Graffiti is the world's first museum exclusively dedicated to the evolution of the graffiti art form.
The museum is dedicated to the preservation, exhibition, and celebration of graffiti art. (MOG)
Featured in the show are early documentations of this vivid art form by photographers: SJK 171, Flint Gennari, Martha Cooper, Jim Prigoff, John Naar, Henry Chalfant, and more.
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Media Coverage: New York Times, WWD
This Times article features the chronological journey Museum of Graffiti takes its visitors on, featuring the 1970s wall which showcases early work from SJK 171.
This Times article features the chronological journey Museum of Graffiti takes its visitors on, featuring the 1970s wall which showcases early work from SJK 171.
STRAAT Museum 2020
Amsterdam-Noord
Open October 2020 - June 2021
Opening exhibit: 'Quote from the streets'
A former shipyard transformed into "the world's museum for graffiti and street art."
Resources: Exhibition Page, Artwork Page, Juxtapoz
Amsterdam-Noord
Open October 2020 - June 2021
Opening exhibit: 'Quote from the streets'
A former shipyard transformed into "the world's museum for graffiti and street art."
Resources: Exhibition Page, Artwork Page, Juxtapoz
Beyond the Streets
Southampton, NY 2021
Hosted at the Southampton Arts Center from July 17 - August 18, 2021 (extended to August 28, 2021) "Beyond The Streets on Paper" was curated by Evan Pricco and Kim Stephens. This exhibition featured over 500 works from over 100 artists.
Southampton, NY 2021
Hosted at the Southampton Arts Center from July 17 - August 18, 2021 (extended to August 28, 2021) "Beyond The Streets on Paper" was curated by Evan Pricco and Kim Stephens. This exhibition featured over 500 works from over 100 artists.
Arts in Transit 2021
One Art Space Tribeca, NYC
July 21-July 27, 2021
Featuring: BC aka WIN, BL, OLGA, VINNY, SMITH, COSE TDS & JEC*, MIKE 171,
SJK 171, JMS171 “The Boys from the Heights” Featured Guest Taki 183
One Art Space Tribeca, NYC
July 21-July 27, 2021
Featuring: BC aka WIN, BL, OLGA, VINNY, SMITH, COSE TDS & JEC*, MIKE 171,
SJK 171, JMS171 “The Boys from the Heights” Featured Guest Taki 183
Cleveland Walls
Cleveland, Ohio
August 23 - 28, 2021
A mural festival featuring over twenty local and national artists sponsored by Graffiti Heart.
Cleveland, Ohio
August 23 - 28, 2021
A mural festival featuring over twenty local and national artists sponsored by Graffiti Heart.
WE RISE 20 Years After 9/11
One Art Space Tribeca, NYC
September 10-16, 2021
One Art Space Tribeca, NYC
September 10-16, 2021
Up Magazine Issue #5: Icons Release Party
One Art Space Tribeca, NYC
September 15 - 18, 2022
One Art Space Tribeca, NYC
September 15 - 18, 2022
ISBN: 9781957576046
Beyond the Streets
Shanghai, China 2023
July 24, 2023 - October 7, 2023
Showcasing artists from around the world, Beyond the Streets in Shanghai features SJK 171, MIKE 171, ROCKY 184, SNAKE 1, TAKI 183, and WICKED GARY's tags on subway tile as innovators of graffiti in New York City.
Shanghai, China 2023
July 24, 2023 - October 7, 2023
Showcasing artists from around the world, Beyond the Streets in Shanghai features SJK 171, MIKE 171, ROCKY 184, SNAKE 1, TAKI 183, and WICKED GARY's tags on subway tile as innovators of graffiti in New York City.