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"
Photo credit: A. Soto
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
Martinez Gallery - Exhibitions 1972-1973 (NYC), 1985 (Puerto Rico), 2003 (NYC)
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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.
Resources: ArtSlant, Soul of Miami, Miami New Times
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.
Resources: ArtSlant, Soul of Miami, Miami New Times
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 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)
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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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Canvas painting by SJK 171
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@felipepantone
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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
October 2020 - June 2021
Permanent Collection: '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
October 2020 - June 2021
Permanent Collection: '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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SJK 171 working on his and MIKE 171's piece at STRAAT
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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.
Left to right: HENRY 161, Stephanie Grajales, MIKE 171, Nicole Gordon, SJK 171
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
Image credit: One Art Space
Canvas paintings by SJK 171
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Left to right: JMS 171 (2018), Brooklyn Bridge (2018)
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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.
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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
Canvas painting by SJK 171
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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
Brittany & DJ SANiTY pose in front of the East Coast G-House Album Cover Canvas, 2017
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"The Bronx is Burning"
Early 1970s
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From left to right: Kool Kito, SJK 171, William Power, MIKE 171, JEC *, Joseph Sheridan (Village Works)
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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.
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Gordon Matta-Clark: NYC Graffiti Archive 1972-73
Control Gallery & Beyond the Streets | Los Angeles, CA
March 2024
SJK 171's work is featured in the permanent collection.
Control Gallery & Beyond the Streets | Los Angeles, CA
March 2024
SJK 171's work is featured in the permanent collection.
TAKI 183
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MIKE 171 & LEE 2
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The Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S.
New York Public Library | NYC
September 19, 2024 - March 1, 2025
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center presented a large-scale exhibition, The Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S., with photos below as part of the permanent collection.
September 19, 2024 - March 1, 2025
The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center presented a large-scale exhibition, The Joffrey + Ballet in the U.S., with photos below as part of the permanent collection.
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SJK 171 shown above with other UGA Members in important documented photo of the Joffrey Ballet during a performance in 1973, NYC.
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Gordon Matta-Clark: NYC Graffiti Archive 1972–73
White Columns Gallery | NYC
March 20, 2025 - May 17, 2025
Presentation of archival photographs by Gordon Matta-Clark alongside paintings and drawings by some of the most prolific graffiti writers of the era.
March 20, 2025 - May 17, 2025
Presentation of archival photographs by Gordon Matta-Clark alongside paintings and drawings by some of the most prolific graffiti writers of the era.
MIKE 171, SJK 171, and Crash
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SJK 171 with Crazy Legs and MIKE 171
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MIKE 171, SJK 171, Chris Freedom Pape, Coco 144, BAMA, and SAL 161
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Media Coverage: FOX 5, Hyperallergic
Gordon Matta-Clark and NYC Graffiti Culture 1972–73
Whitney Museum of American Art | NYC
May 17, 2025
A celebration of the exhibition Gordon Matta-Clark: NYC Graffiti Archive 1972–73 at White Columns Gallery.
May 17, 2025
A celebration of the exhibition Gordon Matta-Clark: NYC Graffiti Archive 1972–73 at White Columns Gallery.
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SJK 171 being shown in a clip of the Joffrey Ballet performance in 1973, NYC
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SJK 171, Roger Gastman, Michael Lawrence, MIKE 171, TAKI 183, FUTURA 2000, and Wicked Gary
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FUTURA 2000
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