RETNA Paintings
American, b. 1979
Born Marquis Lewis on March 24, 1979, in Los Angeles, CA, Retna joined the Los Angeles mural scene as a teenager.
As a youth of African-American, El Salvadorian and Cherokee descent growing up in Los Angeles, Retna was mesmerized by the gang graffiti that surrounded him. He began practicing the art form and adopted the name Retna from a Wu-Tang Clan song. In the mid-nineties, he began making murals on walls, trains and freeway overpasses throughout the city.
Retna transformed from a street artist to a break-out star in the contemporary art world. He garnered attention from Usher, an R&B artist, who commissioned the artist to create a portrait of Marvin Gaye, and MOCA director Jeffrey Deitch, who wrote in the September 2010 issue of Juxtapoz “one of the most exciting exhibitions...this year, anywhere, was Retna's exhibition at New Image Art.” MOCA also featured Retna's work in the major “Art in the Streets” exhibit, the first major U.S. museum survey of graffiti and street art.
At first glance, Retna’s prints and paintings look like an undiscovered ancient script: a series of hypnotic symbols — complex, beautiful and captivating. But he has created an original alphabet, fusing together influences from ancient Incan and Egyptian hieroglyphics, Arabic, Asian calligraphy, graffiti, blackletter, Roman lettering and Hebrew script.
Each piece carries meaning, conveying an event or dialogue that the artist experienced. The writing does not belong to a particular language. Retna explains, “I want my text to feel universal. I want people from different cultures to all find some similarity in it — whether they can read it or not.” He has also stated that “it is important to have art in the streets as a cultural fabric that is woven into the city for the upliftment of civic pride.”
Retna’s works are in the private collections of Jeffrey Deitch, Swizz Beats, Usher, and Dave Chappelle, among many others. His large-scale mural across the eastern exterior of Restoration Hardware’s new gallery in West Palm, Florida, was valued at $500,000 by the city’s Art in Public Places program.
Retna has collaborated with major fashion brands including Nike, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Helmut Lang, and designed the artwork for Justin Bieber’s Purpose album cover. RETNA also acted as the artistic designer for the San Francisco and Washington National Opera’s production of “Aida."
Find original Retna art on 1stDibs.
(Biography provided by New Union Gallery)
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Artist: RETNA
Blue Harmony
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
"Blue Harmony" by RETNA is a striking example of contemporary urban calligraphy, rendered in radiant shades of blue with shimmering enamel and crystalline. This 2025 mixed media pain...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$150,000
Sugar and Spice
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In this electrifying composition, RETNA pushes the boundaries of urban calligraphy with a radiant yellow canvas ignited by strokes of hot pink. Fresh from the studio, this newly comp...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$130,000
Golden Dreams
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
"Golden Dreams" by RETNA is a powerful example of contemporary urban art fused with spiritual symbolism. Painted in rich rust enamel over a lustrous gold background, this mixed media...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$80,000
Sacred Solicitations I
By RETNA
Located in Madrid, ES
RETNA
American, 1979 -
SACRED SOLICITATIONS I
signed, titled and dated "Retna / Sacred Solicitations. I. / 2015-" (on the reverse)
acrylic and enamel on canvas
68-1/2 x 58-3/4 inche...
Category
2010s Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Elongated Scriptures
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Created just recently in 2025 with enamel and crystalline on canvas, this piece marks a refined and unexpected turn in RETNA’s practice. Set against a radiant pink background, his di...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$110,000
Green Velvet
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
"Green Velvet" by RETNA is a commanding example of abstract street art fused with calligraphic structure. Painted in deep emerald green enamel, this contemporary artwork features RET...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$55,000
Love Letter
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
"Love Letter" by RETNA is a powerful example of graffiti-inspired calligraphy transformed into contemporary fine art. Painted in rich crimson enamel, this 2025 work features RETNA’s ...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$110,000
Eternal Sunshiners
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
In "Eternal Sunshiners," RETNA wields a bold black-and-white palette to powerful effect. His signature script, painted in thick black enamel, stretches across a bright white ground w...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$100,000
Blue Sand
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
"Blue Sand" by RETNA is a compelling work of contemporary abstract art that explores the relationship between texture, material, and emotion. Created with enamel and crystalline elem...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
$100,000
UNTITLED
By RETNA
Located in Aventura, FL
Original acrylic on aluminum. Frame size 94 X 46 Inches.
Artwork is in overall excellent condition. A few minor stains to lower left side panel. All reasonable offers will be consi...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Acrylic
$140,000
Marc of the Wooden Soldier
By RETNA
Located in West Hollywood, CA
"Marc of the Wooden Soldier" by RETNA is a bold contemporary artwork that merges street art, sacred symbolism, and military precision. This 2025 painting features RETNA’s signature c...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Enamel
Red on White
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA’s Red on White (2025) is a commanding acrylic and crystalline painting on canvas, measuring 48 x 36 inches. In this work, RETNA deploys his signature calligraphic script in bol...
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
$60,000
Navy Blue on White
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA’s Navy Blue on White (2025) is a striking acrylic and crystalline painting on canvas, measuring 48 x 36 inches. The artwork features RETNA’s signature calligraphic script—an in...
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Black on White
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA’s Black on White (2025) is a commanding acrylic and crystalline work on canvas, measuring 48 x 36 inches. The piece features the artist’s iconic calligraphic script rendered in...
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
$60,000
Basket Knots
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979)
Basket Knots, 2023
Acrylic and crystalline on canvas
72 x 60 in
Singed, titled, and dated on verso
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
Slang Them Colors
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979)
Slang Them Colors, 2020
Acrylic on canvas with leather stitching
96 x 72 in
Signed and titled on verso
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
A Night's Rest
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979)
A Night's Rest, 2023
Acrylic and crystaline on canvas with leather stitching
72 x 60 in
Signed and titled, verso
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Leather, Canvas, Mixed Media, Acrylic
Price Upon Request
When Gods Gets Angry
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979)
When Gods Gets Angry, 2011
Enamel on polished WW2 D3 metal floorboard
120 x 70.50 x 3 in
Signed and titled on verso
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Mixed Media
Price Upon Request
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Artspace Warehouse has been representing and exhibiting Amber Goldhammer's original artworks since 2011. The gallery has been a 1stdibs partner since 2014 with consistently excellent reviews from clients worldwide. The gallery exhibits a large selection of affordable original artworks from established and emerging international artists with diverse backgrounds at high standards. Artspace Warehouse is known to provide accurate descriptions, images, reliable services, communication, and delivery.
REPRESENTATION
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, California
SOLO EXHIBITIONS
2022 Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
2022 Merritt Gallery, Washington, DC
2021 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
2020 Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
2012 Meridian’s, Ventura, CA
2010 Healing Bodywork, Santa Monica, CA
GROUP EXHIBITIONS
2023 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Kunstwarenhaus, Zurich, Switzerland
Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
Merritt Gallery, Washington DC
MAC Fine Art, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Clarendon Fine Art, London, England
2022 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Kunstwarenhaus, Zurich, Switzerland
Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
Merritt Gallery, Washington DC
MAC Fine Art, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Clarendon Fine Art, London, England
2021 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Kunstwarenhaus, Zurich, Switzerland
Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
Merritt Gallery, Washington DC
MAC Fine Art, Ft Lauderdale, FL
Clarendon Fine Art, London, England
2020 Kunstwarenhaus Zurich, Switzerland
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Kevin Barry Fine Art, Las Vegas, NV
Ethos Contemporary, Newport Beach, CA
Christopher Martin Gallery, Dallas, TX
2019 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Kevin Barry Fine Art, Las Vegas, NV
Ethos Contemporary, Newport Beach, CA
2018 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Kunstwarenhaus, Zurich, Switzerland
Kevin Barry Fine Art, San Francisco, CA
2017 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Jackson Gallery, Palm Springs, CA
Kevin Barry Fine Art, San Francisco, CA
Kunstwarenhaus Zurich, Switzerland
2015 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
JCC Gallery, Santa Barbara, CA
Kunstwarenhaus Zurich, Switzerland
Michael Kate Design, Santa Barbara, CA
2014 National Peace Project USA
2014 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Burbank Creative Arts Center, Burbank, CA
2013 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
2012 Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Artlife Gallery, El Segundo, CA
Encino Community Center, Encino, CA
ART FAIRS
2024 AAF New York, NY
AAF Austin, TX
2021 AAF New York, NY
2020 AAF New York, NY
Art Palm Springs, CA
LA Art Show, CA
2019 AAF New York, NY
Art Palm Springs, CA
2018 AAF New York, NY
AAF Hong Kong
Art Palm Springs, CA
2017 AAF New York, NY
2016 AAF Hong Kong
AAF New York, NY
2015 AAF New York, NY
2014 Love Art Fair Toronto, Canada
2013 Affordable Art Fair New York, NY
Affordable Art Fair Seattle, WA
PRESS
2023 Home and Design Magazine
2023 So Cal Design Magazine
2021 Art Daily
Swagger Magazine
Grey Journal
2020 Paper City Magazine, Dallas
2018 Architectural Digest Magazine
2018 LA Yoga Magazine
2015 Scene Magazine - Santa Barbara, Ca
2014 Avant Garde Magazine – Nationwide (USA)
2013 Blick Winter Catalog
2013 Fusionart, Rassouli
2011 Origin Magazine – Nationwide (USA)
TV & FILM
Insecure, HBO
GLOW, Netflix
L.A.’s Finest, Netflix
Planet of the Apps, Apple TV
The Catch, ABC
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, CW
Scandal, ABC
Million Dollar Listing LA, Bravo
Being Mary Jane, BET
Staged to Perfection, HGTV
Beyond Hope, Al Diaz
Silicon Valley, HBO
The Laundromat (2019)
Love, Simon (2018)
REPRESENTATION
Artspace Warehouse, Los Angeles, CA
Kunstwarenhaus Zurich, Switzerland
COLLECTIONS
The STRAT Hotel, Las Vegas, NV
Cooperative of American Physicians, Los Angeles, CA
Casting Networks, Los Angeles, CA
Capital One Headquarters, Los Angeles, CA
Brentwood Country Club, Los Angeles, CA
Ritz Carlton, Los Angeles, CA
Meredith Baer...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Street Art RETNA Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Latex, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic
Previously Available Items
Untitled
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
Signed in pencil, l.r.
This work is offered by CLAMP in New York City.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Paper, Ink
Sing You a Song a Praise of Valiant Spirit
By RETNA
Located in Palm Desert, CA
An abstract acrylic on canvas painting by contemporary artist RETNA. "Sing You a Song a Praise of Valiant Spirit" is executed in white over a multi-colored ground and signed verso, "...
Category
2010s Contemporary RETNA Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Retna paintings for sale on 1stDibs.
Find a wide variety of authentic RETNA paintings available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by RETNA in acrylic paint, ink, paint and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 21st century and contemporary and is mostly associated with the street art style. Not every interior allows for large RETNA paintings, so small editions measuring 22 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Shepard Fairey, Banksy, and Mukesh Shah. RETNA paintings prices can differ depending upon medium, time period and other attributes. On 1stDibs, the price for these items starts at $140,000 and tops out at $140,000, while the average work can sell for $140,000.
Artists Similar to RETNA
Questions About RETNA Paintings
- What is RETNA art?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertMay 14, 2024RETNA art is the name of art produced by the artist RETNA. Born Marquis Lewis on March 24, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, he joined the city’s mural scene as a teenager. He was especially inspired by local graffiti and adopted the name RETNA from a Wu-Tang Clan song as his artist’s tag. In the mid-1990s, he began making murals on walls, trains and freeway overpasses throughout the city, later transforming from a street artist to a break-out star in the contemporary art world. Retna has also collaborated with major fashion brands, including Nike, Louis Vuitton, Chanel and Helmut Lang. Explore a variety of RETNA art on 1stDibs.
- What kind of artist is RETNA?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertFebruary 1, 2024What kind of artist RETNA is depends on what stage of his career you're considering. Growing up in Los Angeles, RETNA was mesmerized by the graffiti that surrounded him. He began practicing the art form and adopted the name RETNA from a Wu-Tang Clan song. In the mid-1990s, he began making murals on walls, trains and freeway overpasses throughout the city. RETNA later transformed from a street artist into a break-out star in the contemporary art world. At first glance, RETNA's prints and paintings look like an undiscovered ancient script. He has created an original alphabet, fusing together influences from ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Arabic, Asian calligraphy, graffiti, blackletter, Roman lettering and Hebrew. Shop a selection of RETNA art on 1stDibs.
- What does RETNA’s art mean?1 Answer1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022What RETNA's art means is largely a matter of personal interpretation. The graffiti artist's intention is to spark conversations with his street art that incorporates elements of Egyptian Hieroglyphics and Hebrew and Arabic calligraphy. You'll find a variety of RETNA art on 1stDibs.