Retna: The Calligraphy of a Modern Mystic

At the intersection of ancient hieroglyphics and modern street art stands Marquis Lewis, better known as Retna, whose cryptic script-like lettering has transformed urban walls and gallery canvases alike. His distinctive visual language system merges elements from Old English, Arabic, Hebrew, and gang graffiti into something entirely new.

From Los Angeles streets to Louis Vuitton collaborations, Retna’s journey represents the evolution of graffiti into contemporary fine art. His work transcends mere tagging, creating a sophisticated typographic alphabet with mathematical precision and cultural depth.

What appears as abstract geometric patterns to the casual observer actually contains encrypted messages, readable only to those who’ve deciphered his personal calligraphy. This tension between legibility and visual poetry drives the universal appeal of his murals and canvases.

This article explores Retna’s unique artistic development, signature techniques, and cultural significance within the contemporary urban art movement. Discover how his revolutionary approach to letterforms has established him as one of street art’s most distinctive and influential voices.

Identity Snapshot

• Entity name: Retna (Marquis Lewis)
• Also known as: El Retna, Letra, Lictor
• Lifespan: Born 1979 in Los Angeles, California
• Primary roles: Street artist, Muralist, Fine artist, Typographer
• Nationality: American
• Movements: Contemporary street art, Urban calligraphy, Graffiti art
• Mediums: Acrylic paint, Spray paint, Mixed media on canvas, Public murals
• Signature traits: Cryptic script-like lettering, Geometric patterns, High contrast color palettes
• Iconography: Custom calligraphic alphabet, Text as visual storytelling, Cultural fusion symbols
• Geographic anchors: Los Angeles, Miami, New York, London, Hong Kong
• Mentors/influences: Chaz Bojorquez, Saber (graffiti artist), MSK Crew members
• Collections & museums: MOCA (Los Angeles), Contemporary Art Center (New Orleans), LACMA
• Market signals: Original canvases typically $20,000-$150,000; murals and commercial installations command premium rates

What Sets The Artist Apart

Retna stands apart through his distinctive fusion of ancient hieroglyphics, Old English, Arabic, Hebrew, and gang graffiti into a unique visual language system. His script-based compositions blend typography with a powerful sense of rhythm and geometric precision.

Each character carries multiple layers of meaning accessible only to those fluent in his personal symbolic alphabet. The work hovers between legibility and abstraction, challenging viewers to decode while appreciating pure visual form.

Origins & Formation

Early Years

Born Marquis Lewis in 1979, Retna grew up in Los Angeles where he encountered graffiti culture at age 9. By 10, he was actively tagging under various names before settling on “Retna” (inspired by a Wu-Tang Clan lyric).

Street Development

Started with the MSK (Mad Society Kings) crew in the 1990s, developing his technique on urban walls throughout Los Angeles. His early style showed influences from both gang calligraphy and traditional graffiti letterforms.

Style Evolution

Around 2003, Retna began developing his signature alphabet system after studying ancient scripts and calligraphic traditions. What started as tag writing transformed into a sophisticated visual language incorporating elements of typography, line, and mathematical structure.

Fine Art Transition

His 2008 solo exhibition at Mid-City Arts marked his transition from street art to gallery settings. This shift brought wider recognition while maintaining the core elements of his visual style.

Movement & Context

Contemporary Street Art Context

While part of the street art movement, Retna distinguishes himself through scholarly investigation of written languages rather than focusing solely on urban aesthetics. Where many street artists like Banksy use figurative imagery, Retna constructs intricate patterns from his text-based compositions.

Artistic Comparisons

• Retna vs. Basquiat: Where Jean-Michel Basquiat employed loose, child-like scrawls and crossed-out text as commentary, Retna builds precise, architecturally structured scripts with mathematical proportions.
• Retna vs. Chaz Bojorquez: Both draw on Chicano calligraphy traditions, but Bojorquez maintains clearer connections to gang lettering while Retna pushes toward near-abstract geometric systems.
• Retna vs. Cy Twombly: Unlike Twombly’s emotional, gestural script-like marks, Retna’s characters follow strict geometric rules with careful attention to composition.

Cross-Medium Influence

Retna’s work bridges multiple traditions: graffiti art’s urgency, calligraphy’s precision, and abstract painting’s emphasis on form and color. This fusion places him in a unique position between street credibility and fine art acceptance.

Materials, Techniques, and Process

Materials

• Paints: Primarily works with acrylic paint for studio works and high-quality spray paint for murals
• Supports: Favors large-scale canvases, walls, and occasionally works on wood panels
• Tools: Combines spray paint techniques with traditional brushwork using round brushes for detail

Technique

• Grid System: Often begins with an invisible grid structure to maintain consistent proportions
• Layering Process: Typically applies backgrounds first, followed by multiple layers of text that create depth
• Brushwork: Employs both fine detail work and broad gestural strokes that create contrast within compositions

Process Highlights

• Sketches preliminary designs before executing larger works
• Often incorporates actual text and messages (poetry, observations, quotes) that remain encrypted in his personal alphabet
• Employs careful color theory with deliberate use of complementary colors for maximum visual impact

Themes, Subjects, and Iconography

Visual Language

Central to Retna’s work is his constructed alphabet—drawing from diverse sources including Old English blackletter, Hebrew, Arabic, Asian calligraphy, hieroglyphics, and gang graffiti. The resulting script creates a universal language transcending cultural boundaries.

Cultural Symbolism

His work often references:

• Religious and spiritual symbolism
• Cultural identity and heritage
• Social commentary on urban life
• The power of language as both communication and visual art

Compositional Structures

• Typically employs grid-based frameworks
• Creates tension through asymmetrical balance of positive and negative space
• Utilizes vertical and horizontal alignments that suggest ancient tablets or manuscripts

Color Symbolism

• Frequently uses red and black for power and strength
• Incorporates gold leaf and metallic paints to reference religious iconography
• Employs high contrast color schemes to create visual hierarchy and depth

Notable Works

“Eastern Realm” (2013, Acrylic on canvas, 72″ x 60″)

• Current location: Private collection
• Visual signature: Black and red script on silver background with dramatic vertical composition
• Why it matters: Exemplifies his mature style with perfect balance between readability and abstraction
• Related works: Part of a series exploring Eastern calligraphic traditions

“The Usual Suspects” (2011, Spray paint on wall, Louis Vuitton Miami storefront)

• Current location: Temporary installation (no longer extant)
• Visual signature: Large-scale white script on deep blue background
• Why it matters: Major commercial breakthrough bringing his work to luxury fashion audience
• Related works: Led to further fashion collaborations with Chrome Hearts and VistaJet

“Para Mi Gente” (2010, Acrylic and spray paint on canvas, 96″ x 72″)

• Current location: MOCA Los Angeles
• Visual signature: Dense multi-colored script with structural grid elements
• Why it matters: First major museum acquisition, establishing institutional recognition
• Related works: Series of large-scale canvases exploring Chicano cultural identity

Exhibitions, Collections, and Provenance

Key Exhibitions

• 2008: Solo exhibition at Mid-City Arts, Los Angeles (career breakthrough)
• 2011: “Art in the Streets” at MOCA Los Angeles (institutional recognition)
• 2012: Primary Projects, Art Basel Miami Beach (commercial breakthrough)
• 2015: Michael Kohn Gallery, Los Angeles (mature style)
• 2018: Maddox Gallery, London (international expansion)

Notable Collections

• Museum of Contemporary Art, Los Angeles
• Los Angeles County Museum of Art
• Private collections of celebrities including Usher, Swizz Beatz, Alicia Keys

Commercial Collaborations

• Louis Vuitton (store installations and product designs)
• Nike (limited edition products)
• VistaJet (aircraft exterior design)
• Chrome Hearts (fashion collaboration)

Market & Reception

Market Performance

• Original canvas works typically range from $20,000 to $150,000
• Limited edition prints generally priced $2,000-$10,000
• Murals and commercial installations command six-figure sums
• Strong secondary market with consistent auction performance

Authentication Considerations

• Meticulous signature placement typically found on verso
• Certificate of authenticity provided through primary galleries
• Limited edition prints usually numbered and signed

Critical Reception

Initially dismissed by some traditional art critics as “just graffiti,” Retna has gained increasing critical recognition for his contribution to typography-based contemporary art. His work bridges street credibility with formal sophistication, earning respect from both urban art enthusiasts and fine art collectors.

Influence & Legacy

Upstream Influences

• Chaz Bojorquez (pioneering Chicano graffiti artist)
• Wassily Kandinsky (spiritual approach to abstraction)
• Traditional calligraphers across multiple cultures
• Pre-Columbian and Egyptian hieroglyphics

Downstream Impact

• Influenced a generation of text-based street artists
• Expanded the commercial possibilities for graffiti-derived fine art
• Contributed to the acceptance of street art in institutional settings
• Pioneered the fusion of typography with contemporary art practices

Cross-Domain Influence

• Fashion design (typeface adaptations)
• Contemporary architecture (pattern applications)
• Digital typography and graphic design
• Urban renewal through commissioned public murals

How to Recognize Retna at a Glance

• Distinctive script-like letterforms with perfect vertical alignment
• High-contrast color schemes, often using black, red, blue and metallic paints
• Sharp geometric precision with mathematical proportions
• Dense composition with minimal negative space
• Script that appears almost readable but remains encrypted
• Vertical orientation resembling ancient tablets or codices
• Fine line work contrasted with broader gestural elements
• Fusion of ancient calligraphic traditions with contemporary urban aesthetics
• Rigorous grid-based structure underlying seemingly freeform characters
• Sophisticated color relationships with careful attention to value and tone

FAQ on Retna

Who is Retna?

Marquis Lewis, known professionally as Retna, is an American street artist born in 1979 in Los Angeles. He gained recognition for creating a unique visual language that fuses elements from various calligraphic traditions, including ancient hieroglyphics, typography, and graffiti lettering. His work bridges street art and contemporary fine art worlds.

What makes Retna’s art style unique?

Retna’s distinctive style features cryptic script-like lettering that creates a personal visual alphabet. He combines influences from Old English, Arabic, Asian calligraphy, and gang graffiti with geometric precision and mathematical composition. His work exists between legibility and abstract art, challenging viewers to decode while appreciating pure visual form.

What mediums does Retna work with?

Retna works primarily with acrylic painting and spray paint techniques. For gallery works, he creates large-scale canvases, while his public art appears on building exteriors and murals. He occasionally incorporates mixed media elements including metallic paints, gold leaf, and custom-made tools for precision lettering.

What does Retna’s writing actually say?

Retna’s script contains actual messages, poetry, observations, and quotes encrypted in his personal alphabet. While appearing decorative to most viewers, his lettering system follows consistent rules that can be deciphered. Some collectors and dedicated followers have learned to read portions of his text-based works through pattern recognition.

How did Retna get his name?

The name “Retna” was inspired by lyrics from a Wu-Tang Clan song that referenced the retina of the eye. Lewis adopted this name early in his graffiti career after previously using other tags including “Letra” and “Lictor.” The name resonated with his interest in the visual power of typography and perception.

What major commercial collaborations has Retna been involved with?

Retna has collaborated with Louis Vuitton on storefront installations and product designs, Nike on limited editions, and VistaJet on aircraft exterior design. His commercial work extends to fashion label Chrome Hearts and various luxury brands. These partnerships helped transition his work from street art to mainstream recognition.

How much does Retna’s artwork sell for?

Original canvas works by Retna typically sell for $20,000-$150,000 depending on size, complexity, and period. Limited edition prints range from $2,000-$10,000. His commissioned murals and commercial installations command six-figure sums. His market value has steadily increased since his transition to gallery representation.

What influences Retna’s artistic style?

Retna draws inspiration from multiple sources: Chaz Bojorquez’s Chicano calligraphy, ancient hieroglyphics, religious manuscripts, abstract artists like Wassily Kandinsky, and traditional writing systems. His work also reflects street art’s energy and the mathematical precision of classical composition.

Where can I see Retna’s work in person?

Retna’s work can be viewed at MOCA Los Angeles, the Contemporary Art Center in New Orleans, and in public murals throughout Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and globally. He exhibits regularly at galleries including Maddox Gallery (London) and various Art Basel events. His large-scale public works appear in urban centers worldwide.

How has Retna influenced contemporary art?

Retna has expanded the possibilities for text-based street art, bridging graffiti culture and fine art institutions. His work helped legitimize street art in gallery settings while influencing contemporary typography, graphic design, and public art. His unique visual language demonstrates how lettering can function as both communication and pure visual expression.

Conclusion

Retna stands as a pivotal figure bridging street art culture and fine art institutions through his innovative visual language system. His transformation from LA tagger to internationally acclaimed artist represents the evolution of urban calligraphy into a sophisticated art form.

Beyond aesthetic appeal, his work carries cultural symbolism that transcends traditional boundaries between high and low art. The mathematical precision behind his letterforms demonstrates a scholarly approach to what began as spontaneous street expression.

The cryptic alphabet he created serves dual purposes: communicating encrypted messages while functioning as pure form and pattern. This duality has secured his place in contemporary art history.

As public murals and gallery exhibitions continue to showcase his distinctive script, Retna’s influence extends into typography, design, and fashion. His legacy lies in proving that street art’s raw energy can coexist with rigorous artistic tradition, creating something entirely new and enduringly significant.