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 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
Photo credit: A. Soto
"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
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
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.
SNAKE1, Rocket, 1973. Ink marker on oaktag board
NOVA1, Burning name, 1973. Ink marker on paper
STITCH1, On the move, 1973. Ink marker on paper
COCO144, Train Tracks, 1973. Ink marker on oaktag board
All COCO144 collection courtesy Eric Firestone Gallery
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View of Illustrated Chronology with photographs, artwork, and ephemera
UGA Collective Canvas. Courtesy of SJK 171.
Razor Gallery Show Flyer, c. 1973. Courtesy of SNAKE 1
Graffiti Goes Legit, New York Times, 1973. Courtesy of Roger Gastman
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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.
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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 another club, Writers Corner 188, that began in the early 1970s, which was started by fellow artist STITCH 1 (R.I.P.) SJK 171, MIKE 171, SNAKE 1, and ROCKY 184 who were among its members.
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 another club, Writers Corner 188, that began in the early 1970s, which was started by fellow artist STITCH 1 (R.I.P.) SJK 171, MIKE 171, SNAKE 1, and ROCKY 184 who were among its members.
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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!
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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.
Mural Credit: Slick , OG Slick
Graffiti artists SJK 171, Charles Henry aka Flip One, Mike 171 and Flint Gennari pose during the opening of the Museum of Graffiti on December 04, 2019 in Miami, Florida.
Source: Getty Images North America
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Photos featured in the museum from 1971: one of the first triple outline design and stylized lettering.
Credit: SJK 171
Editorial credit: Stephen Lovekin/Shutterstock
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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
SJK 171 and MIKE 171
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Left: Nuno Viegas, Right: SJK 171 and MIKE 171
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SJK 171 working on his and MIKE 171's piece at STRAAT
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Left: SJK 171 and MIKE 171, Right: Joos van Barneveld | DOES
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Films and Documentaries
Wall Writers 2016
"Narrated by John Waters, Wall Writers is a documentary about graffiti in its innocence. Through unprecedented access to TAKI183, CORNBREAD, and other legendary writers, Wall Writers features photographs and archival footage from the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time when underprivileged city kids refused to remain in the shadows." (IMDb)
"Narrated by John Waters, Wall Writers is a documentary about graffiti in its innocence. Through unprecedented access to TAKI183, CORNBREAD, and other legendary writers, Wall Writers features photographs and archival footage from the late 1960s and early 1970s, a time when underprivileged city kids refused to remain in the shadows." (IMDb)
Sources: Juxtapoz Magazine, Known Gallery
Image Credit: SJK 171, NYC 1971
Double Exposure, Black and White
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'East Coast G-House' 2018 - Album executive produced by SANiTY (DJ SANiTY)
East Coast G House is a sound. It is a movement. It is a proper fusion of four-on-the-floor house beats and East Coast hip-hop bars. In addition to the musical soundscapes, the surrounding ambiance and visual aesthetic of East Coast G-House aims to combine prominent elements of both worlds, including everything from shuffling and dance to old-school graffiti art.
SJK 171 is featured in the "Ride/2 Da House" music video, from the 'East Coast G House' album, a project executive produced by SANiTY (DJ SANiTY). SJK 171 also designed the album art and is featured as one of the graffiti artists in the video along with Mike 171. The dancers in the video are from the New York underground shuffling crew, Shuffle Over Everything.
Sources: Mix 247 EDM, Earmilk, Blended Magazine
SJK 171 is featured in the "Ride/2 Da House" music video, from the 'East Coast G House' album, a project executive produced by SANiTY (DJ SANiTY). SJK 171 also designed the album art and is featured as one of the graffiti artists in the video along with Mike 171. The dancers in the video are from the New York underground shuffling crew, Shuffle Over Everything.
Sources: Mix 247 EDM, Earmilk, Blended Magazine