About the artwork
This imposing work, Untitled (2012), is a remarkable example of RETNA’s calligraphic abstraction, created on a salvaged antique door, a rare and highly sought-after medium in the artist’s body of work. RETNA transforms the weathered, time-worn surface into a monumental canvas for his iconic script. Layers of black acrylic, applied in vertical drips and with bold strokes, form a dense web of symbols, letters, and coded shapes drawn from his hybrid alphabet. A few touches of green subtly disrupt the monochromatic composition, introducing additional rhythm and depth. The work captures the raw energy of urban graffiti while elevating it to a refined and meditative visual language. The door, with its imperfections, signs of wear, and history, becomes both a medium rich in meaning and a metaphor for the transition between public space and contemporary art. An iconic work that brings together gesture, material, memory, and identity.
Expert opinion
This work is a major example of RETNA’s mature period. Created on a found door—a medium far rarer than his canvases—it embodies the artist’s roots in graffiti culture while offering a perfectly mastered composition. The verticality, the density of the calligraphic alphabet, and the measured use of color demonstrate great precision in rhythm and spatial balance. Due to its scale and the rarity of its medium, this work ranks among the most sought-after pieces on the market. Works created on antique doors from this period are rarely seen and play a significant role in the evolution of his practice. This piece combines strong visual impact with historical significance, representing RETNA at a particularly accomplished stage in his career.
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
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