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
$12,800Sale Price|20% Off
'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 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
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) ...
Screen, Glitter
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
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
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
$2,800
H 26.44 in W 28.57 in
MMA-3 Variant /// Josef Albers Abstract Geometric Screenprint Color Field Theory
By Josef Albers
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Josef Albers (German-American, 1888-1976) Title: "MMA-3 Variant" Series: MMA (Metropolitan Museum of Art) *Unsigned edition Year...
Screen
$3,000
H 17.07 in W 17 in
Variant I /// Josef Albers Abstract Geometric Screenprint Minimalism Bauhaus Art
By Josef Albers
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Josef Albers (German-American, 1888-1976) Title: "Variant I" Portfolio: Ten Variants *Unsigned edition Year: 1967 Medium: Original Screenprint on Rives BFK paper Limited edit...
Screen
$2,340
H 29.93 in W 22.84 in
Untitled from "Kinderstern" - Max Bill, Hard Edge, Color Field, Bright Colors
By Max Bill
Located in Köln, DE
Screenprint by Max Bill. From the portfolio "Kinderstern". No Title, 1989 76 x 58 cm Copy 61/100 Edition of 100 (approx.)
Screen
$20,000
H 33.25 in W 26.25 in D 2.25 in
"Untitled" screenprint by artist Pierre Soulages from "Kinderstern" portfolio
By Pierre Soulages
Located in Boca Raton, FL
"Untitled" abstract screenprint (Encrevé/Miessner Kat. N° 113) by artist Pierre Soulages from the "Kinderstern" portfolio published by Edition Domberger to raise money to house famil...
Screen
Head
By Bram Van Velde
Located in Paris, FR
Lithograph, 1969 Edition : 60/300 Publisher : Edition Prisunic (Paris) Printer : Imprimerie Clot, Bramsen & Georges (Paris) Catalog : [Rivière 49, p.67] 65.50 cm. x 48.00 cm. 25...
Lithograph
Composition, Float Series, Dale Chihuly
By Dale Chihuly
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Dale Chihuly (1941) Title: Composition, Float Series Year: 2017 Medium: Silkscreen and acrylic on Waterford paper Edition: 18/110 Size: 37 x 25 inches Inscription: Signed and...
Acrylic, Screen
Royal Curtain, Gene Davis
By Gene Davis
Located in Fairfield, CT
Artist: Gene Davis (1920-1985) Title: Royal Curtain Year: 1980 Medium: Silkscreen on Arches paper Edition: 41/250, plus proofs Size: 30 x 21.5 inches Condition: Good Inscription: Sig...
Screen
$1,495
H 14.88 in W 14.88 in
Josef Albers, Color Abstract Screenprint, Homage to the Square, 1977, Framed
By (after) Josef Albers
Located in Washington, DC
Artist: Josef Albers Title: Homage to the Square Medium: Screenprint Date: 1977 Edition: 1500 Image Size: 8 1/4" x 8 1/4" Sheet Size: 9" x 9 1/2" Frame Size: 14 7/8" x 14 7/8" Signat...
Screen
$4,796Sale Price|20% Off
H 10.125 in W 10.125 in
Jasper Johns, Untitled, from Screenprints, 1977
By Jasper Johns
Located in Southampton, NY
This exquisite silkscreen by Jasper Johns (born 1930), titled Untitled, from the album Jasper Johns, Screenprints, 1977, originates from the 1977 edition published by Brooke Alexande...
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
$1,400
H 40.25 in W 55.25 in
Giuseppe Capogrossi Iconic Comb Design "Superficie 324" Serigrafia
By Giuseppe Capogrossi
Located in Detroit, MI
"Superficie 324" is a 1988 screen print (serigraph) of a 1959 painting by Capogrossi. This is one of his famous "comb" or "fork" works that he perfected in the 1950s and continued to create for the remainder of his life. The blocks of primary red and yellow colors give a bright, joyful feel and contrast to the strong bold black that was Capogrossi's consistent color for the "combs". With no allegorical, psychological, or symbolic meanings, these structural elements could be assembled and connected in countless variations. Intricate and insistent, Capogrossi's signs determined the construction of the pictorial surface. This piece is identified along one side: Giuseppe Capogrossi By SIAE 1988 Silvio Zamorani Editor Via Saccarelli, 9 10144 Torino Italy Tel. (39)(11) 4730554 Progetto Grafico (Graphic Project): Studio Walter Benjamin. Serigrafia (Screen Print): BISI Torino. Capogrossi was born in Rome. After obtaining a degree in law in 1923–1924, he decided to study painting with Felice Carena at Accademia di Belle Arti di Roma. In 1927 Capogrossi embarked on a formative trip to Paris together with fellow artists and acquaintances Fausto Pirandello, Corrado Cagli and Emanuele Cavalli...
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