Artist: RETNA
Title: Untitled Blue and Purple Abstract
Medium: Original Watercolor on Wove Paper
Year: c. 2010-2020
Size: 50" x 38"
Edition: Original
Documentation: Includes original gallery certificate of authenticity including stated provenance direct from RETNA's studio
This striking original watercolor painting by RETNA (Marquis Lewis) exemplifies the artist's evolution into more gestural, atmospheric abstraction, while still maintaining the visual intensity and expressive power of his signature script-based works. Executed in vivid washes of cerulean and violet, the composition unfolds in sweeping arcs and energetic splashes, evoking the layered textures and spiritual cadence that have become hallmarks of RETNA's studio practice.
Though best known for his calligraphic script influenced by Arabic, Hebrew, Gothic, and Asian traditions, RETNA's work has continually expanded beyond structured typographies into more painterly, meditative forms. This piece—untitled and unconstrained by text—leans into emotional gesture and the raw materiality of watercolor, offering a rare look at his process beyond the grid of letterforms. Drips, splatters, and translucent layers speak to both the artist's roots in street art and his mastery of formal composition.
Created during a period in which RETNA's work was featured in major gallery and museum exhibitions worldwide, this piece reflects his ongoing interest in sacred geometry, rhythm, and movement. The scale invites immersive viewing, while the palette conveys both power and restraint.
Please note that this piece is currently not framed; the pictures showing it framed are mockups for reference.
This original work on paper includes an original gallery-issued certificate of authenticity and provenance tracing directly to RETNA's studio. It stands as a compelling example of the artist's ability to transcend language, offering a visual field that is at once bold, lyrical, and deeply contemplative.
About RETNA
RETNA (b. 1979) is a contemporary American artist known for his signature script—an intricate system of calligraphy blending ancient and modern influences into a uniquely expressive visual language. Born Marquis Lewis in Los Angeles, RETNA emerged from the West Coast graffiti scene in the 1990s and quickly gained attention for his bold murals that fused text, pattern, and cultural symbolism.
RETNA's name, derived from the word "retina", reflects his deep interest in visual impact. From the outset, he sought to create artwork that would imprint itself on the viewer's memory. His text-based work is immediately recognizable, composed of a carefully constructed alphabet inspired by Egyptian hieroglyphs, Arabic calligraphy, Hebrew script, Gothic typefaces, and Native American symbology. Though not traditionally legible, his writing is filled with rhythm and intention, conveying emotion, cultural references, and often spiritual undertones.
In the early 2000s, RETNA began exhibiting in galleries, translating his street language into fine art contexts. He quickly became a key figure in a generation of artists bridging urban art and the contemporary gallery scene. His canvases, prints, and installations maintain the scale and impact of his mural work while incorporating layered materials like gold leaf, oxidized metals, and deeply textured surfaces. These works often invoke themes of power, beauty, and transcendence, drawing connections between the sacred and the secular, the past and the present.
RETNA's influence spans far beyond the walls of the gallery. His work has appeared on buildings around the world, from the Bowery Mural in New York City to the façade of a Louis Vuitton store in Miami. He has collaborated with major fashion and lifestyle brands, including Nike, VistaJet, and Chanel, and in 2011 he designed the cover art for Justin Bieber's multi-platinum album Purpose, further cementing his visibility in popular culture. Despite the commercial success, RETNA remains committed to a deeply personal artistic vision—each symbol and stroke a part of his evolving language of identity and expression.
In addition to his artistic achievements, RETNA has been an active participant in conversations around the legitimacy and value of street art. By moving fluidly between street walls and auction houses, he challenges the boundaries between fine art and graffiti, often blurring the lines between high and low culture. His works have been exhibited in top galleries and institutions worldwide, including shows in Los Angeles, New York, London, Hong Kong, and Dubai.
RETNA's unique blend of ancient motifs and contemporary aesthetics has earned him international acclaim, with collectors, critics, and curators recognizing his voice as both timely and timeless. His creations are more than visual art—they are meditative experiences, densely layered with cultural references and spiritual resonance.
Today, RETNA continues to evolve his visual language, expanding his practice into large-scale installations, sculpture, and performance-based works. With a growing presence in both the public and private art sectors, he stands as a vital force in 21st-century art—a modern scribe whose work speaks to universal themes of identity, communication, and transcendence.
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