ABOUT THE ARTIST
RETNA, an American street artist recognised for his distinct typography and lettering, merges visual linguistics, urban poetics, and appropriated fashion imagery to explore various mediums, including graffiti, photography, and painting. He once emphasized the importance of street art in enhancing civic pride, stating, “It is important to have art in the streets as a cultural fabric that is woven into the city.”
Born Marquis Lewis on March 24, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, RETNA immersed himself in the city's mural scene as a teenager, honing his text-based signature style characterised by intricate line work, complex layering, and a diverse palette of colours. Utilizing both brush and spray can, he achieves meticulous detail in his artwork.
Having exhibited at prestigious venues worldwide, 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, RETNA continues to reside and create in his hometown of Los Angeles, California.