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)
$100,000
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...
Enamel
$25,000
Black on White 3
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Black on White 3, 2025 Acrylic on Paper 30 x 22 in (76.20 x 55.88 cm)
Acrylic
$25,000
Black on White 2
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Black on White 2, 2025 Acrylic on Paper 30 x 22 in (76.20 x 55.88 cm)
Acrylic
$55,000
Black on White 5
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Black on White 5, 2025 Acrylic on Paper 83.50 x 60 in (212.09 x 152.40 cm)
Acrylic
$130,000
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...
Enamel
$60,000
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
$80,000
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...
Enamel
$110,000
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...
Enamel
$45,000
Black on White 6
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Black on White 6, 2025 Acrylic on Paper 60 x 45 in (152.40 x 114.30 cm)
Acrylic
Retna, 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...
Enamel
$25,000
Black on White 4
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Black on White 4, 2025 Acrylic on Paper 30 x 22 in (76.20 x 55.88 cm)
Acrylic
$150,000
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...
Enamel
$75,000
Untitled
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Untitled, 2026 Acrylic, Metallic, & Spray Paint on Leather 58 x 46 in (147.32 x 116.84 cm)
Leather, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$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...
Enamel
$55,000
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...
Enamel
$110,000
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 ...
Enamel
$45,000
Black on White 7
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Black on White 7, 2025 Acrylic on Paper 60 x 45 in (152.40 x 114.30 cm)
Acrylic
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...
Enamel
$105,000
Study of Lexicon
By RETNA
Located in Beverly Hills, CA
Retna's art is critiqued as a unique, transcultural visual language blending calligraphy, graffiti, and hieroglyphs, offering a meditative, rhythmic experience that challenges viewer...
Enamel
$60,000
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
$140,000
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...
Acrylic
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...
Canvas, Acrylic
$25,000
Black on White
By RETNA
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
RETNA (b. 1979) Black on White, 2025 Acrylic on Paper 30 x 22 in (76.20 x 55.88 cm)
Acrylic
$2,642
H 51.97 in W 36.23 in D 2.76 in
Large Contemporary Textured Mixed Media Painting By Anette Holmberg
Located in Frederiksberg C, DK
This is a beautiful and tranquil acrylic painting. At a first glimpse, the painting looks subtle, but multiple soft and fine nuances, forms, and textures appear when you near in. The painting evokes a feeling of Nordic minimalism. The painting is made by Danish artist Anette Holmberg...
Acrylic, Canvas
$1,500
H 40 in W 36 in
It's Good Business! /// Contemporary Street Art Text War Political Painting
By Jack Graves III
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Jack Graves III (American, 1988-) Title: "It's Good Business!" Series: Statement *Signed by Graves lower right. It is also signed, dated, and titled on verso Year: 2023 Mediu...
Canvas, Paint, Acrylic
$1,020
H 15.75 in W 20.87 in
Light 22 April 11:23 - Modern Minimalistic Landscape Painting, Sea View
By Robert Motelski
Located in Salzburg, AT
Robert Motelski's paintings are exceptional visions of nature, visions of space which surrounds us. They tell about being, fate and passing. They depend on the season of year, the ti...
Canvas, Acrylic
$924
H 16.15 in W 11.82 in
Untitled 38 - Series 2019, Contemporary Abstract Painting, Textile Lightness
By Tomasz Prymon
Located in Salzburg, AT
About Prymon’s Exhibition Dopaminum and his paintings: ”Dopaminum” - Tomasz Prymon Dopamine – colloquially referred to as the hormone of love and happiness. Why is this organic che...
Acrylic, Handmade Paper
$2,041
H 35.44 in W 35.44 in
Orange poppies. Contemporary Abstract & figurative Painting Acrylic, Polish art
By Anna Masiul-Gozdecka
Located in Warsaw, PL
Contemporary figurative and abstract acrylic on canvas painting by Polish artist Anna Masiul-Gozdecka. Artwork's title is 'Orange poppies' and it depicts flowers painted in an abstra...
Canvas, Acrylic
$3,200
H 40 in W 30 in D 1.5 in
"Party Tree" - Playful Contemporary Abstract White Tree with Colorful Lights
Located in Carmel, CA
Thomas Whent (Canadian-American, born 1949) "Party Tree" 2024 Acrylic Paint, Canvas, Stretcher Bars The artist signed the back of the painting. "Party Tree" by Thomas Whent bursts w...
Canvas, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
$25,000
H 49 in W 49 in D 1.5 in
"Palms Island" Street Art Collaboration Painting with Cindy Shaoul, Chaval & OUI
By LA II (Angel Ortiz)
Located in New York, NY
This piece is a collaboration between Angel Ortiz, OUI, Chaval and Cindy Shaoul. They began collaborating in 2010 with their iconic "Street Cars" series, depicting cars with Angel's ...
Canvas, Spray Paint, Acrylic, Ink, Oil
$550
H 13 in W 13 in
I Heart You Everyday - Framed Original Pop Art Inspired Textured Hearts Art
By Amber Goldhammer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles artist Amber Goldhammer paints dramatic abstract compositions in acrylic on canvas featuring energetic brushstrokes. Goldhammer uses her contemporary paintings to express emotions akin to silent poetry while drawing inspiration for her palette from the layered world around her. Her artworks include layered textures and playful details along the surfaces. This original colorful graffiti-inspired painting measures 13 inches square. The artwork is framed in a white wood frame, size and price include the frame. It is wired and ready to hang. This painting is signed and titled by the artist on the back. Convenient local Los Angeles area shipping. Affordable Continental U.S. and global shipping also available. A certificate of authenticity issued by the art gallery is included. Amber Goldhammer is best known for creating vibrant abstract paintings with a street art edge. She originally started painting with pigments, powders, and waxes and went on to experiment with different mediums and processes to keep evolving her artworks. As love and joy are paramount emotions in life, Goldhammer hopes her series incorporating the “I Love You” message expands to reach a wide audience. Connecting people through public art is one way she believes her street murals can impact lives, as it is impossible to view her work and not feel a sense of joy and love. Painting a convergence of color and emotion, she builds and layers bold colors organically, allowing the process to determine the outcome. There is no analyzing, conceptualizing, or judging that takes place. It all happens in the moment, as a union between her, the canvas, and the paint. Amber Goldhammer frequently draws inspiration for her palette from the colors of the ocean, saying, “I get to take in the essence of the ocean every day, which fuels my creativity and brings me peace.” Embracing a profound love for existence unveils a world adorned with beauty at every turn. When one's heart is entwined with the sheer joy of life, the ordinary transforms into the extraordinary, and the mundane becomes a canvas of boundless inspiration. This sentiment resonates eloquently in the captivating artworks by Amber Goldhammer. Within her original creations, positivity takes center stage, as vibrant hues dance harmoniously to convey a celebration of life. Hearts and declarations of love, intricately painted onto the canvas, serve as visual affirmations of the artist's unwavering affection for the world. Each stroke tells a story of optimism, inviting viewers to share in the enchanting journey where love and art converge to create a tapestry of uplifting emotions. Amber Goldhammer's works are not just paintings; they are vibrant expressions of a love affair with life itself. A worldwide collected young artist with ongoing concurrent exhibitions in galleries throughout the United States and Switzerland, Goldhammer's artworks have also been exhibited at major international art fairs. Her original paintings have been showcased in print and online publications, and on such TV series as “Million Dollar Listing,” “Being Mary Jane,” “The Catch” as well as both multi-Emmy® nominated series, “Crazy Ex-Girlfriend”, and “Scandal.” Goldhammer’s art is also featured on Netflix’s original series, “G.L.O.W.” by “Weeds” creator, Jenji Kohan. 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...
Canvas, Latex, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$675
H 24 in W 24 in
My Favorite Game - Original Retro Street Art Inspired Painting
By Amber Goldhammer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles artist Amber Goldhammer paints dramatic abstract compositions in acrylic on canvas featuring energetic brushstrokes. Goldhammer uses her contemporary paintings to express...
Canvas, Latex, Mixed Media, Spray Paint, Acrylic
$800
H 16.74 in W 12.8 in D 1.78 in
French Contemporary Art by Jeremie Faivre - Volume 2
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic ink on glass Jeremie Faivre is a French artist born in 1977 who lives and works in Paris, France. He is graduated from Massachussetts College of Art & Design in Boston...
Glass, Ink, Acrylic
$3,500
H 39.38 in W 27.56 in D 0.99 in
Georgian Contemporary Art by George Areshidze (Reshka) - Without TItle
Located in Paris, IDF
Acrylic on canvas, George Areshidze (Reshka) is a Georgian artist born in 1977 who lives and works in Tbilisi, Georgia. His painting technique goes beyond abstract expressionism, an...
Canvas, Acrylic
$1,525
H 30 in W 40 in
You Are Everything I Love You - Original Black and White Word Painting
By Amber Goldhammer
Located in Los Angeles, CA
Los Angeles artist Amber Goldhammer paints dramatic abstract compositions in acrylic on canvas featuring energetic brushstrokes. Goldhammer uses her contemporary paintings to express...
Canvas, Mixed Media, Latex, Spray Paint, Acrylic
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, "...
Canvas, Acrylic