Artist: RETNA
Title: Untitled Blue and Black Graphite Abstract
Medium: Original Watercolor on Wove Paper
Year: c. 2010-2020
Size: 40" x 26"
Edition: Original
Documentation: Includes original gallery certificate of authenticity including stated provenance direct from RETNA's studio
This striking original work by RETNA exemplifies the artist's iconic fusion of calligraphic abstraction and street art. Untitled Blue and Black Graphite Abstract showcases his distinctive visual lexicon—an evolving script influenced by ancient alphabets, Gothic lettering, and graffiti stylings. Executed in bold black and luminous cyan, RETNA layers his unique characters in a rhythmic composition that oscillates between legibility and mysticism.
Here, the dense black letter-forms are boldly imposed over a field of gestural cyan script, which bleeds energetically across the surface in transparent washes and sharp flourishes. The interplay of opacity and transparency, control and spontaneity, creates a visual tension that is both architectural and expressive. Subtle graphite under-drawings add an additional layer of texture and movement beneath the inked surfaces, reinforcing the artist's method of building meaning through mark-making.
RETNA rose to prominence for transforming the aesthetics of street culture into a formalized, trans-cultural script. With works housed in major private and institutional collections worldwide, his practice stands at the intersection of contemporary urban identity and global language systems.
This piece is accompanied by its original gallery-issued Certificate of Authenticity, which includes direct provenance from RETNA's studio—underscoring both the originality and the impeccable source of the work. A compelling example of RETNA's sophisticated graphic language, this painting is a testament to the artist's role in redefining the boundaries between fine art and street expression.
This piece is currently unframed, the images showing it with a frame are mock-ups to show the viewer how it will looked when framed.
About RETNA
RETNA (b. 1979) is a contemporary American artist recognized for his distinctive calligraphic style, which merges global typographic traditions into a unique visual language. Born Marquis Lewis in Los Angeles, he began his artistic career in the early 1990s as a member of the West Coast graffiti scene. RETNA's name, derived from the word “retina," reflects his commitment to creating visually arresting works intended to leave a lasting impression.
His script—a hybrid of influences including Egyptian hieroglyphics, Arabic calligraphy, Hebrew script, Gothic lettering, and Native American iconography—is not conventionally legible but conveys rhythm, emotion, and symbolic meaning. This signature style spans murals, canvas works, and large-scale installations.
In the 2000s, RETNA transitioned into the gallery world, exhibiting in Los Angeles, New York, London, Hong Kong, and Dubai. His works frequently incorporate materials such as gold leaf and oxidized metals, invoking themes of spirituality, power, and cultural continuity. His practice explores the interplay between sacred and secular imagery, often addressing themes of identity and transcendence.
RETNA has collaborated with brands such as Nike, Chanel, and VistaJet, and gained broader cultural visibility with his 2011 album cover design for Justin Bieber's Purpose. Despite commercial success, he maintains a strong connection to his roots in street art and continues to advocate for its legitimacy within the fine art world.
His work resides in numerous private and institutional collections and remains central to the conversation surrounding the intersection of urban art and contemporary practice.
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