Artist: RETNA
Title: Even The Heart Skips A Beat
Medium: Screenprint and Glitter on Somerset Rad Velvet Paper
Year: 2024
Sheet Size: 43.25" x 28.875"
Edition: 12/15 PP in addition to the standard edition of 99
Publisher: Print Them All, United Kingdom
Inscription: Signed and numbered in pencil lower right
Documentation: Includes Certificate of Authenticity from printer (Print Them All, UK)
"Even The Heart Skips A Beat" (2024) is a limited edition screenprint by Los Angeles-based artist RETNA, rendered as a screenprint with glitter on Somerset Rad Velvet paper. Measuring 43 1/4 x 28 7/8 inches, the work is part of a Printer's Proof edition of 15, in addition to the standard edition of 99, and is signed and numbered in pencil at the lower right. This example is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity issued by the publisher, Print Them All, United Kingdom.
The composition reflects the artist's ongoing engagement with script-based abstraction, in which a proprietary visual language is constructed from fragments of Arabic, Hebrew, Gothic, and Asian calligraphy, as well as graffiti-based letterforms. In this work, RETNA employs his characteristic system of vertical and diagonal glyphs arranged in a dense, linear configuration. The glitter application introduces a tactile quality and refractive surface effect, reinforcing the visual rhythm of the layered script.
The title, "Even The Heart Skips A Beat", alludes to the emotive and symbolic potential of written language, while the formal structure of the composition remains intentionally unreadable. This strategy underscores the artist's interest in the visual rather than semantic function of text.
This edition reflects RETNA's continued exploration of language as both a visual system and a vehicle for cultural synthesis. By isolating script from legibility, the work invites a formal reading rooted in rhythm, structure, and surface. "Even The Heart Skips A Beat" stands as a concise representation of the artist's larger practice, in which the boundaries between writing and image are deliberately blurred to foreground the aesthetic experience of text.
RETNA (Marquis Lewis): Artist Biography
RETNA (born Marquis Lewis in 1979, Los Angeles, California) is a contemporary American visual artist renowned for his distinctive typographic script that blends global calligraphic traditions with the raw visual language of street art. Emerging from the West Coast graffiti scene in the 1990s, RETNA has become an influential figure in contemporary urban art, known for his innovative use of script, cultural symbolism, and large-scale murals.
Early Life and Artistic Beginnings
Growing up in Los Angeles, RETNA became involved in the graffiti subculture at a young age. He adopted the name “RETNA” from a lyric in a Wu-Tang Clan song, a choice reflecting both his affinity for hip-hop culture and the broader urban environment that shaped his aesthetic. In the early 1990s, he joined the legendary graffiti crews MSK (Mad Society Kings) and AWR (Art Work Rebels), quickly gaining recognition for his bold, highly stylized letterforms.
RETNA's early work—spanning freeway overpasses, train cars, and abandoned buildings—exemplified the energy and rebellious spirit of street art while revealing a meticulous attention to form and design that would later define his studio practice.
Artistic Style and Influences
RETNA is best known for developing a unique calligraphic script that draws from a wide array of visual languages, including Arabic, Hebrew, Gothic, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Native American, and Asian calligraphy, combined with the structure and flow of traditional graffiti writing. His script, while not strictly legible, evokes a universal visual language that transcends linguistic boundaries, inviting viewers into a meditative space between text and abstraction.
Visually, RETNA's work is characterized by monochromatic palettes, strong vertical and horizontal lines, and rhythmic, densely patterned compositions. Whether painted on a wall, canvas, or luxury product, his script maintains a deeply spiritual and ritualistic quality, often invoking themes of identity, communication, and cultural heritage.
Career Highlights
RETNA's transition from street to gallery was marked by a growing recognition from the international art world. His work has been exhibited in major cities including New York, Los Angeles, Miami, London, and Hong Kong, and has appeared in prestigious art fairs such as Art Basel and Frieze. He has collaborated with high-profile fashion and luxury brands, including Louis Vuitton and VistaJet, as well as with fellow artists across disciplines.
In 2011, RETNA gained widespread attention for designing the cover art for the Red Hot Chili Peppers' album I'm With You, cementing his presence in both contemporary art and pop culture. In 2015, he was commissioned to create the monumental backdrop for Verdi's Aida at the Los Angeles Opera, demonstrating his ability to bridge classical and contemporary aesthetics.
Public Art and Murals
RETNA remains committed to public art and has produced some of the most iconic large-scale murals in the world. His murals—located in cities such as Los Angeles, Miami, Paris, and Moscow—act as monumental inscriptions, transforming urban landscapes into sacred spaces of visual contemplation. These works often function as both social commentary and aesthetic statement, reflecting the artist's roots in graffiti while elevating the form into the realm of fine art.
Legacy and Impact
As a pioneer in the fusion of street art and global calligraphy, RETNA occupies a critical position in 21st-century contemporary art. His work challenges conventional notions of language, identity, and artistic categorization, bridging the divide between graffiti culture, fine art, and global visual traditions.
With a career that spans over two decades, RETNA has helped redefine what it means to be a contemporary urban artist. His calligraphic language has become an instantly recognizable symbol of transcultural expression, influencing a new generation of street and studio artists alike.
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