SJK 171, born Steve Kesoglides, is a New York Citygraffiti artist who was active during the late 1960s and 1970s. A native of Washington Heights, he was a founding member of United Graffiti Artists, one of the first professional graffiti collectives. Some sources have recognized him as a graffiti pioneer and also for originating the "squiggly lines" style of outlining graffiti.
History
SJK 171 attended the High School of Art and Design along with a number of other early graffiti artists, 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. In early 1971, he began to use the "swiggly radiant energy lines" later popularized by Keith Haring. SJK 171 is also credited with pioneering the use of arrows in graffiti writing around this same time. In 1973, SJK 171 was featured in a New York Magazine essay on graffiti art by Richard Goldstein.
Gallery and show appearances
1972: The first canvas created by the United Graffiti Artists collective, United Graffiti Artists "No. 1", included contributions from SJK 171. 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. SJK 171 was also one of several graffiti writers featured in the backdrop design for the Joffery Ballet's production of Deuce Coupe. 2011: SJK 171 was one of the artists featured in a collaborative canvas in the Los Angeles Museum of Contemporary Art, curated by MOCA Director Jeffrey Deitch and Associate Curators Roger Gastman, and Aaron Rose. 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.
Films & documentaries
2016: Wall Writers, a documentary produced by Roger Gastman, showcases various graffiti artists from the late 60s and early 70s, including SJK 171. 2018: Work by SJK 171 and MIKE 171 was featured in the "Ride/2 Da House" Medley Official Music Video.
