We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Steve Kesoglides a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Steve, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

As a graffiti artist, there was always a huge risk involved. When we first started in the late 60’s, graffiti was not only highly frowned upon, but illegal as well. We started painting designs and murals on train cars that were parked in the yard, and we had to avoid the security and conductors that were canvassing the yards. They would wave their flashlights from a distance, but we never saw actual faces. Trains were seemingly starting up by themselves and shadows and fog engulfed the tracks. As kids, we coined it the ghost yard.

Steve, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

As a kid, I always gravitated towards art. I would sketch cartoons that I watched like popeye, Felix the cat and mr. Magoo and was always infatuated with the vibrant animation and storytelling via visual art.

Fast forward a few years, and my friends and I began tagging walls, subway cars and abandoned train stations. We deemed ourselves The Boys from the Heights, and little did we know that as a bunch of preteens, we were pioneering what is now known as the graffiti art movement.

A student from City College recognised that our art was actually art, and not just vandalism. And that we were artists, not criminals. Subsequently, we had our first gallery show as the United Graffiti Artists at Razor Gallery in SoHo. Andy Warhol wound up visiting the gallery, after seeing it in the New York Times, and loved it. From then on, we knew how powerful and inspiring our type of art could be, but we didn’t know how many people it would be able to reach.

With the help of museums, international gallery shows, books and documentaries, it has reached more people than we ever could have imagined as kids tagging train cars.

All of my art is currently available for sale. We also do murals for businesses, speaking engagements and exhibitions.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

I think one of the most impactful things we can do as a society is continue to fund art programs in schools, especially in low income areas. Coming from a struggling family in Washington Heights, I turned to art and it truly helped me find a path and stay focused.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

I think the most rewarding part of being an artist that I get to do what I love and inspire people to do the same. It has all come full circle, as my kids are in the art and music world as well, pursuing their passions and what they love.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.sjk171.com
• Instagram: @sjk_171
• Other: Featured in the documentary: Wallwritersthemovie.com Featured in exhibitions: Beyondthestreets.com