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)
$3,150Sale Price|30% Off
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
$12,800Sale Price|57% Off
'EVEN THE HEART SKIPS A BEAT' (Black on Black)
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
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
Beyond the Streets: Skateboard w/COA signed by RETNA (Limited Edition of 100)
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
RETNA Skateboard (Blue with red back) and embossed COA hand signed by RETNA, 2018 Silkscreen on Maplewood skate deck. Accompanied by Certificate of Authenticity hand signed by RETNA on Embossed Letterhead 32 × 8 1/2 inches Edition of 100 Accompanied by embossed Certificate of Authenticity hand signed by RETNA Limited edition of only 100 - not to be confused with sthe larger edition of 250. This work is accompanied an embossed Certificate of Authenticity, issued by the sponsor "Beyond the Streets...
Screen, Maple
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
Skateboard Skate deck (Blue) with COA hand signed by RETNA - Lt. Ed. of only 100
By RETNA
Located in New York, NY
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 of Authenticity on Embossed Letterhead. Limited Edition of 100 Separate embossed Certificate of Authenticity hand signed by RETNA 32 × 8 1/2 inches Unframed Limited edition of only 100 - not to be confused with similar looking skateboard from the larger edition of 250. This work is accompanied an embossed Certificate of Authenticity, issued by the sponsor "Beyond the Streets...
Maple, 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
$12,800Sale Price|57% 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
$2,200
H 40 in W 32 in
Golden - large format photograph of conceptual iconic object in urban landscape
By Frank Schott
Located in San Francisco, CA
GOLDEN by Frank Schott from a series of photographic observances - environmental still life capturing found objects in urban cityscapes 40 x 32 inches (102 x 81cm) signed edition ...
Archival Paper, Photographic Paper, Archival Pigment, Giclée
$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
$2,250
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
$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
Affiche pour l'Exposition Miro-Artigas, 1963
By Joan Miró
Located in Sheffield, MA
Joan Miro Spanish, 1893-1983 Affiche pour l'Exposition Miro-Artigas, 1963 Lithograph on Rives paper 33" x 22 1/4" W/frame 33 ¾ by 23 in. Pencil signed lower right from an edition of 174/200. Joan Miró Ferra was born April 20, 1893, in Barcelona Spain, the son of a goldsmith and watchmaker. At the age of 14, he went to business school in Barcelona and also attended La Lonja's Escuela Superior de Artes Industriales in the same city. Upon completing three years of art studies, and under pressure from his parents, he took a position as an accounting clerk. After suffering a nervous breakdown, he abandoned business and resumed his art studies, attending Galí's Escola d'Art in Barcelona from 1912 to 1915. Miró's work before 1920 showed the latest artistic influences, including the bright colors of the Fauves* and the geometric forms of Cubism*. It was in Paris through the 1920s-1930s where, under the influence of Surrealist* poets and writers, Miró evolved his mature style. His latest works drew on the Surrealist principles of memory, fantasy, and the irrational to create visual art. Miró's works were also shaped by the flat, two-dimensionality of his native Catalan folk art, Spanish Romanesque...
Lithograph
$2,000
H 8.125 in W 6 in D 1 in
Barry McGee Full Set Reynolds, Spanky, Steamer, Dollin, Theotis Skateboard Decks
Located in Draper, UT
A member of the so-called Mission School, Barry McGee got his start as a graffiti artist in late 1980s San Francisco, where he tagged under the moniker Twi...
Wood, Maple, Screen
$4,000Sale Price|20% Off
H 16.5 in W 16.5 in
Untitled (Cross Hatch) /// Abstract Geometric Jasper Johns Minimal Screenprint
By Jasper Johns
Located in Saint Augustine, FL
Artist: Jasper Johns (American, 1930-) Title: "Untitled (Cross Hatch)" Series: Jasper Johns Screenprints *Unsigned edition Year: 1977 Medium: Original Scre...
Screen, Parchment Paper
Dance '72
By Sam Gilliam
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint, 1972. Signed by the artist and dated in pencil, lower right margin. Numbered 24/60 in pencil lower left,. Printed and published by Workshop, Inc., Washington, D...
Screen
Anthropometrie ANT 148
By Yves Klein
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on heavy white wove archival paper. Edition of 200. Printed by l'Atelier Eric Linard, Paris. Published by Editions T.A.T Arts, Paris, with the printed justificat...
Screen, Color
Nightscape, 1989
Located in Greenwich, CT
"Nightscape" is a serigraph on paper by Seikichi Takara, signed 'S Takara' lower right and numbered HC 49/75 lower left. The image size is 35 x 32 inches and the framed dimensions ar...
Paper, Screen
$3,000Sale Price|40% Off
H 30.125 in W 41.875 in D 1.25 in
“Three Movements" Limited Edition Hand-Signed Serigraph by Yaacov Agam, Framed
By Yaacov Agam
Located in Encino, CA
"Three Movements," an original silkscreen by Yaacov Agam, is a piece for the true collector. Agam is considered the father of Kinetic art. His iconic style is recognizable across the...
Screen
Black Field
By Adolph Gottlieb
Located in New York, NY
Color screenprint on white wove paper, 1972. Signed by the artist dated in pencil lower left. Numbered 67/150 in pencil lower right. Printed by Kelpra Studio, London, with the ink ...
Screen, Color
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