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)
Even The Heart Skips A Beat Print, Signed, Limited Edition, 2010+
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
'EVEN THE HEART SKIPS A BEAT' (Black on Black) is a signature stylistic print by RETNA. The large-scale glittering artwork is a silkscreen print with layers of genuine diamond dust. ...
Archival Paper, Screen
'EVEN THE HEART SKIPS A BEAT' Abstract Silkscreen Print with Diamond Dust, 2024
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
'EVEN THE HEART SKIPS A BEAT' is a signature stylistic print by RETNA. The large-scale glittering artwork is a silkscreen print with layers of genuine diamond dust. This exquisite p...
Screen
RETNA - Skateboard Skate deck (Blue) with hand signed COA - Lt. Ed. of only 100
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
Beyond the Streets x RETNA Skateboard Skate deck (Blue with wood back) with COA hand signed by RETNA, 2018 Silkscreen on Maplewood skate deck. Accompanied by Hand signed Certificate ...
Maple, Screen
Even The Heart Skips a Beat, Rare Matching Set, Modern Street Art, Retna
By RETNA
Located in Draper, UT
Rare set with matching numbers. Only 99 of each produced. Another amazing release by Retna, with his well known style. A must for any modern collector. 2-color screenprint with glitt...
Glitter, Screen
RETNA - Madre, dazzling Silkscreen with Crystallina (diamond dust) hand Signed/n
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
RETNA Madre (Mother), 2023 Silkscreen and crystallina (diamond dust) on Coventry rag paper Hand signed and numbered by RETNA from the limited edition of only 75 on the front (41/75) ...
Glitter, Screen
RETNA El Salvador 2014 Signed Limited Edition Color Screenprint
By RETNA
Located in Minneapolis, MN
Artist: RETNA Title: El Salvador Medium: Screenprint in Colors on Coventry Rag Paper Year: 2014 Sheet measures 19" x 13" Frame size 23" x 17" x 2" Edition: 24/60, Published by Smogto...
Paper, Screen
Vagos y Reinas (Vagabonds and Queens), Hand Signed, Numbered by RETNA and El Mac
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
Makes a fantastic gift! RETNA and El Mac Vagos y Reinas (Vagabonds and Queens), Hand Signed by both Artists, 2009 Limited Edition Exhibition Catalog and Screen Printed Box. Hand sign...
Offset, Ink, Board
Even the Heart Skips a Beat (Black on Black)
By RETNA
Located in Boca Raton, FL
edition 11/99 Incorporating the artist’s most iconic calligraphic work, the screenprint features black symbols inspired by different alphabets (Hebrew, Arabic and Egyptian) as well...
Glitter, Screen
Refined Brim Etching, Hand Signed, Framed, 2010, 5/10 Edition
By RETNA
Located in Aventura, FL
Etching, ink on paper. Hand signed by RETNA. Hand numbered 5/10 (there are also 3 AP's). Artwork size: 17 x 14 inches. Frame size: 20.5 x 17.5 inches. Artwork is in excellent c...
Digital, Paper, Ink, Etching
$840Sale Price|43% Off
H 24.2 in W 23.8 in D 1 in
Concrete Geometric Abstract Composition with Blue (~44% OFF LIST PRICE)
By Gottfried Honegger
Located in Kansas City, MO
Gottfried Honegger Concrete Geometric Abstract Composition with Blue 3D-construction, Screenprint on Hahnemuhle Velvet 2015 Size: 20.9 × 21.1 on 24.2 × 23.8 inches Edition: E.A. of 5...
Archival Paper, Screen
$406
H 21.93 in W 22.05 in D 0.04 in
Ripples of Colour, Art print, Abstract, Water, Line art, Blue green, red, white
By Chris Keegan
Located in Deddington, GB
This is a Five colour screen print Including a metallic Silver layer. This print is then finished off by drawing over the print with multi-coloured paint including Gold, Yellow and G...
Paper, Screen
$135
H 15.75 in W 15.75 in D 0.04 in
Spike, Affordable Contemporary Art, Silkscreen Prints, Colourful Abstract Prints
By Chris Keegan
Located in Deddington, GB
This handmade screen print depicts an imaginary spiked sphere shape in five colours including fluorescent Yellow, metallic Gold and Red. The Gold ink layer gives the abstract print an extra brilliance and shine showing off the multi layered liquid patterns on the surface of the object. Chris Keegan artist online and in Wychwood Art Gallery...
Paper, Screen
$2,250
H 20.5 in W 32.7 in
Jose Parla "The Founders" Print Street Art Contemporary Street
By José Parlá
Located in Draper, UT
Jose Parla "The Founders" Time Limited Edition of 1368 Dimensions: 20.5in x 32.7in Medium: Archival pigment print on 305 gsm Hahnemühle Photo Rag Ultra Smoo...
Screen
$22,000
H 32.25 in W 28.19 in
Orange Meander /// Anni Albers Bauhaus Abstract Geometric Female Artist Screen
By Anni Albers
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Anni Albers (German-American, 1899-1994) Title: "Orange Meander" Portfolio: Meander *Signed and dated by Albers in pencil lower right Year: 1970 Medium: Original Screenprint ...
Screen
$50,000
H 27.55 in W 19.685 in
Space Invader LED Screen Print Lazarides Edition of 100 Street Art Urban Art
By Invader
Located in Draper, UT
Screenprint Signed and dated to lower right Edition 63/100 to lower left One of the most sought after prints by Invader fans as this was his last release with Steve Lazarides. Mr. Lazaride's is a legend in his own right having represented everyone from Banksy, Paul Incest and many others. This is a must have for any Invader Was Here Fan! This print is special to us as it represents our childhood sitting around arcades and playing the famous Arcade Game SPACE INVADERS. Being a product of the 70's/80's please and thank you...
Screen
$1,000
H 43 in W 35 in
"Untitled" by Peter Plagens. (Abstract, Formalist, Symbolism, Geometric, Print)
Located in New York, NY
Peter Plagens (b. 1941) received his B.F.A. from the University of Southern California and his M.F.A. from Syracuse University. He is well known for his abstract, formalist paintings...
Screen
Silence = Death
By Keith Haring
Located in Hollywood, FL
Artist: Keith Haring Title: Silence = Death Size: 39 x 39 in. (99.1 x 99.1 cm) Medium: Color Screenprint on Wove Paper Edition: HC 15 of 25 Year: 1989 Notes: Image Size: 33 x 33 in...
Color, Screen
$3,248
H 35.44 in W 30.71 in
Victor Vasarely (1906–1997) – Quivar-Na – Color silkscreen on paper – 1977
By Victor Vasarely
Located in Varese, IT
Color silkscreen on paper, edited in 1977. Limited edition, numbered as 35/175 in lower left corner. Hand signed in pencil by artist in the lower right corner. Paper size: 90 x 78 c...
Silk, Paper, Screen
Sinjerli Variation I
By Frank Stella
Located in New York, NY
From the artist's Sinjerli Variations series created in 1977, this original print by Frank Stella was created as a lithograph and screenprint in colors on Arches paper. Hand-signed i...
Lithograph, Screen
$12,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 44.5 in W 29.25 in
Dedication–Lincoln Center (B.App.23)
By Robert Motherwell
Located in London, GB
44.5 x 29.25 ins (113 x 74.3 cms) Edition of 108 Signature:Signed "R. Motherwell" in pencil lower left Inscriptions:Numbered in pencil lower left; some impressions have artist's chop mark lower left Publisher:The Juilliard School...
Color, Mixed Media, Screen
$1,800
H 31.25 in W 23.875 in D 1 in
Concrete Geometric Abstract in 3D (Blue and Black)
By Gottfried Honegger
Located in Kansas City, MO
Gottfried Honegger Concrete Geometric Abstract in 3D (Blue and Black) 3D-construction, Screenprint on Hahnemuhle Velvet 2015 Size: 21.5 x 18.75 inches on 31.25 x 23.875 inches (54.61...
Archival Paper, Screen
Sold
H 49.3 in W 38.5 in D 2 in
'EVEN THE HEART SKIPS A BEAT' Abstract Silkscreen Print with Diamond Dust, 2024
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
'EVEN THE HEART SKIPS A BEAT' is a signature stylistic print by RETNA. The large-scale glittering artwork is a silkscreen print with layers of genuine diamond dust. This exquisite p...
Screen
Retna Braddock Tiles Print
By RETNA
Located in Englishtown, NJ
Gorgeous Retna Braddock Tiles Print. Created by Retna in his distinctive style combining calligraphy, hieroglyphics and graffiti in gorgeous vibrant colors. Limited edition of 250. ...
Archival Paper, Digital
Sold
H 32 in W 8.5 in
Lt. Ed. Skate deck (Blue with blue back) with embossed COA, hand signed by RETNA
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
RETNA Skate deck (Blue with green back) with embossed COA, hand signed by RETNA, 2018 Limited Edition Silkscreen on Maplewood skatedeck with blue colored back. Accompanied by Hand signed Certificate of Authenticity on Embossed Letterhead. 32 × 8 1/2 inches This work is accompanied an embossed Certificate of Authenticity measuring 4 x 6 inches, issued by the sponsor "Beyond the...
Maple, Screen, Wood
Eastern Realm (Grey)
By RETNA
Located in Santa Monica, CA
Beautiful print that is a replica of the same mural that sits in Brooklyn from 2014 that was made to inagurate his first show in NYC with Kohn Gallery. The original run came in editi...
Color, Screen
RETNA X BTS Silkscreen Skateboard Edition of 100 V.I.P. Event
By RETNA
Located in Draper, UT
TITLE: RETNA X BTS Silkscreen Skateboard Edition of 100 YEAR: 2018 CLASSIFICATION: Limited edition MEDIUM TYPE: Installation MEDIUM/MATERIALS: Silkscreen on maple wood skateboard dec...
Wood, Birch, Screen
BRADDOCK TILES
By RETNA
Located in Aventura, FL
Digital print on Canson paper. Unsigned hand numbered edition of 250. Artwork size 19 x 13 inches. Frame size approx 23.25 x 17.5 inches. Artwork is in excellent condition. Certif...
Digital
Sold
H 32 in W 10 in D 2 in
RETNA Beyond The Streets New York City 2018 Skateboard Urban Art Street Art
By RETNA
Located in Draper, UT
Beyond The Streets, 2018 Skateboard 32 × 10 × 2 in 81.3 × 25.4 × 5.1 cm Edition of 250 Comes With Signed Certificate Of Authenticity by the artist, RETNA. PROVENANCE COA From Beyo...
Wood, Screen
RETNA Beyond the Streets Skateboard Deck (limited edition)
By RETNA
Located in NEW YORK, NY
RETNA Beyond The Streets Limited Edition Skate Deck From a sold out edition of 250. Blue and white. Published in conjunction with the 2018 Los Ang...
Screen
RETNA Beyond the Streets Skateboard Deck (limited edition)
By RETNA
Located in NEW YORK, NY
RETNA Beyond The Streets Limited Edition Skate Deck From a sold out edition of 250. Blue and white. Published in conjunction with the 2018 Los Ang...
Screen
RETNA Beyond the Streets Skateboard Deck (limited edition)
By RETNA
Located in NEW YORK, NY
RETNA Beyond The Streets Limited Edition Skate Deck Blue and white. From a sold out edition of 250. Published in conjunction with the 2018 Los Ang...
Screen