About the artwork
Even the heart skips a beat (Black) is a silkscreen print created in 2024 by the American artist RETNA. Printed in an edition of 99, the print is signed, numbered and stamped by the artist. Measuring 110 × 73.5 cm, the work is silkscreened on paper, then hand-cut, with the addition of hand-applied glitter, giving the surface a dimension that is both material and luminous. The composition is based entirely on RETNA's distinctive calligraphic language. Since the 2000s, the artist has been developing a hybrid visual alphabet inspired by multiple writing traditions, blending references to Gothic calligraphy, Hebrew, Arabic and hieroglyphic alphabets. In this work, these vertical, structured signs are organized in a dense grid that covers the entire surface. The elongated, monumental letters interweave and overlap, creating a visual rhythm akin to architecture or weaving. The contrast between the white background of the paper and the deeply textured black ink accentuates the graphic power of the composition. The glitter embedded in the black ink produces a subtle shimmering effect that catches the light and transforms the apparent monochrome austerity into a vibrant, changing surface. The irregular, hand-cut edges reinforce the work's artisanal character and recall the physical, gestural dimension of the artist's practice. With this work, RETNA continues her exploration of a universal visual language, where text becomes image and calligraphy is transformed into abstract structure.
Expert opinion
Even the heart skips a beat (Black) perfectly illustrates RETNA's stylistic maturity and the singularity of his practice in the contemporary urban art landscape. The artist has established himself as one of the leading figures in international street art by developing an immediately recognizable personal writing system. His work is based on the transformation of written language into an autonomous visual form. Although his compositions sometimes appear illegible at first glance, they function as powerful graphic structures that oscillate between calligraphy, abstraction and typographic architecture. This approach lends his work an aesthetic and conceptual dimension. In this edition, the use of silkscreen enriched with glitter and the manual intervention of paper cutting introduce an artisanal dimension rare in contemporary editions. Each copy thus retains a strong material presence, close to that of an art object. The limited edition of 99 copies, combined with the artist's international reputation, makes this work even more attractive to collectors. RETNA's editions are particularly sought-after, especially those that showcase the complexity of his visual alphabet and the intensity of his graphic work. This piece testifies to RETNA's ability to bring together calligraphic heritage, urban culture and contemporary abstraction, while asserting a visual signature that has become emblematic on the international art scene.
About the artist
American street artist born in 1979. Lives and works in Los Angeles (USA). Marquis Lewis, aka RETNA, combines visual linguistics, urban poetics and the appropriation of fashion images in his work. He uses a variety of media including graffiti, photography and painting, and has established his eclectic style on the international contemporary art scene. Particularly renowned for his distinctive textual style, RETNA has been exhibited internationally in numerous galleries and institutions, including L.A. Art Machine in Los Angeles, Don Gallery in Milan, Yves Laroche Galerie d'Art in Montreal and Art for All in Malaga.
Additional info
Signed
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