Items Similar to Yo!
Video Loading
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 3
RETNAYo!2023
2023
About the Item
Marquis Lewis, a.k.a - RETNA was born in Los Angeles, from El Salvadorian, Cherokee, Spanish, and African American bloodlines. He chose the moniker “RETNA” from the lyrics to a Wu-Tang Clan song.
Lewis joined the buzzing graffiti scene of the city as a teenager, developing his now signature calligraphic style that features a keen attention to detail and skillful layering. This American street artist became known for his unique typography and letterforms where each block of text is a sophisticated system of script, culled from hieroglyphs, calligraphy and illuminated lettering. With influences ranging from Arabic, Egyptian, Hebrew, Old English, and Native American mythologies, RETNA's unique vocabulary communicates a particular narrative.
In his cryptic words, letters, and messages, he reflects aspects of a harsh reality of urban life. Yet he is in tune to a sophisticated and metaphysical connectedness that draws inspiration from poignant relevance of historical cannons. RETNA employs ancient totemic symbologies as a baseline, overlaid with rhythms he perceives as compartmentalized sequences of letters to hypothetically vocalize significances deemed important enough to manifest into works of art.
The artist uses a paintbrush in addition to a spray-cans to paint intricate lines and give the finished work an intuitive and dynamic, yet precisely composed effect. Among his eclectic range of influences for his contemporary text-based works, RETNA cites Renaissance imagery, medieval manuscripts, Art Nouveau, and 20th century urban artists such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Keith Haring. With a practice rooted in varied typographic forms, RETNA works from a hybrid alphabet consisting of Egyptian hieroglyphs, Arabic calligraphy to Blackletter, making the content of his artworks indecipherable and enigmatic. He creates unique pictographic landscapes that celebrates the idea of multiculturalism and interconnection, while exploring the possibilities of conceptual meaning within the image, revealing new ways of understanding, and perceiving visual codes.
Since emerging on the scene, he has been renowned for many publicly and privately commissioned murals in New York, Miami, Mexico City and Los Angeles, as well as for numerous collaborations with famous brands such as Louis Vuitton, Nike and Vista Jet. His gradual transition into the contemporary art world was marked by the group exhibition Art in the Streets, hosted by the LA Museum of Contemporary Art in 2011. This was followed by an invitation by the same museum in 2013 for the artist to create an installation for the show “RETNA: Para mi gente”.
Another notable exhibition was The Future of the Past: Mummies and Medicine (2016) at the San Francisco Legion of Honor, showcasing a large-scale installation of RETNA’s calligraphic paintings, contextualized within ancient Egyptian culture and spirituality. His artwork was featured as the album cover of Justin Bieber’s Purpose, released in 2015. In 2016 and 2017, he was the artistic designer for the reimagined production of the famous opera AIDA at the San Francisco and Washington National Opera houses.
RETNA continues to be amongst the most prolific and successful graffiti artists working today, as well as one of the most coveted. His artworks continue to fetch high prices at international auction houses.
- Creator:RETNA (1979, American)
- Creation Year:2023
- Dimensions:Height: 72 in (182.88 cm)Width: 60 in (152.4 cm)
- Medium:
- Movement & Style:
- Period:
- Condition:
- Gallery Location:Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU574314119412
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 1998
1stDibs seller since 2017
22 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 16 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Fort Lauderdale, FL
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 3 days of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- A Night's RestBy RETNALocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLMarquis Lewis, a.k.a - RETNA was born in Los Angeles, from El Salvadorian, Cherokee, Spanish, and African American bloodlines. He chose the moniker “RETNA” from the lyrics to a Wu-Ta...Category
2010s Contemporary Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic
- I Love You, Not Just YouBy RETNALocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLMarquis Lewis, a.k.a - RETNA was born in Los Angeles, from El Salvadorian, Cherokee, Spanish, and African American bloodlines. He chose the moniker “RETNA” from the lyrics to a Wu-Ta...Category
2010s Contemporary Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic
- UntitledBy RETNALocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLMarquis Lewis, a.k.a - RETNA was born in Los Angeles, from El Salvadorian, Cherokee, Spanish, and African American bloodlines. He chose the moniker “RETNA” from the lyrics to a Wu-Ta...Category
2010s Contemporary Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic
- UntitledBy RETNALocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLMarquis Lewis, a.k.a - RETNA was born in Los Angeles, from El Salvadorian, Cherokee, Spanish, and African American bloodlines. He chose the moniker “RETNA” from the lyrics to a Wu-Ta...Category
2010s Contemporary Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic
- I Love You, Except YouBy RETNALocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLMarquis Lewis, a.k.a - RETNA was born in Los Angeles, from El Salvadorian, Cherokee, Spanish, and African American bloodlines. He chose the moniker “RETNA” from the lyrics to a Wu-Ta...Category
2010s Contemporary Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic
- Banded Purple 3By Hunt SlonemLocated in Fort Lauderdale, FLInspired by nature and his 60 pet birds, Hunt Slonem is renowned for his distinct neo-expressionist style. He is best known for his series of bunnies, butterflies and tropical birds,...Category
2010s Contemporary Paintings
MaterialsWood, Oil, Acrylic
You May Also Like
- American, Contemporary, Abstract, Circular and Colorfully Large WorkLocated in Fort Worth, TXLayla Luna, Ramona II, 2020, Acrylic on canvas. 48 x 36." This fantastical painting by American artist Layla Luna is a contemporary, abstract, circular, and...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Abstract Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Oil, Acrylic
- Nauset 4By Andrew MocklerLocated in Brooklyn, NYInspired by the view over Nauset Beach in Chatham on Cape Cod, this painting on paper evokes the elemental forces of the ocean and bright sun.Category
2010s Contemporary Paintings
MaterialsPaper, Acrylic
- Ode to Angelo - Fall SunflowersLocated in Washington, DCPainting titled "Ode to Angelo - Fall Sunflowers" by Maryanne Pollock. Mixed media on D'Arches paper, signed and dated 2022 on reverse. Measurements are 22" x 30". Maryanne Pollock...Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Landscape Paintings
MaterialsAcrylic
- Joe Shannon "Three Business Men", 1972By Joe Shannon 1Located in Washington, DCAcrylic on canvas painting by Joe Shannon (b.1933). Titled "Three Business Men" signed and dated 1972. New York Times art critic Grace Glueck observed tha...Category
1970s Contemporary Figurative Paintings
MaterialsCanvas, Acrylic
- "Patterned" acrylic painting on linen abstract patternLocated in Phoenix, AZCarrie Marill Patterned, 2012 acrylic on linen 10" x 8" unframed 11.2" x 9.4" in Walnut frame Carrie Marill is a meticulous artist, sophisticated and ...Category
2010s Contemporary Abstract Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Acrylic
- "A.M" acrylic painting on linen coffee cup patternLocated in Phoenix, AZCarrie Marill A.M., 2014 acrylic and graphite on linen 15.5 x 12.5 framed Carrie Marill is a meticulous artist, sophisticated and considered in her te...Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
MaterialsLinen, Acrylic, Graphite
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Melissa Bowers
Peter Madden
Bertrand Day
Paintings Scottish Highland Cows Painting With Frame
Ham And Sam
Javier Diaz
Zuber Buhler
Gallery One Sixty
19c Landscape Painting
Large Format Table
Desert Plants
1950s Abstract Painting Unknown
Art Blue Poppies
Small White Dog
Painting Of Animals In Boats
1940s Framed Art
David E Wood
Lee Krasner Painting S