Retna
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- Esta es la Cuenta, 2018, Retna, at Maia Contemporary
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- Even the Heart Skips a Beat, 2016, Retna, at Maddox Gallery
Current status… Known for his unique use of typography and symbolism, Los Angeles-based muralist Retna aka Marquis Lewis’s influential work features a complex weave of colourful patterns and ancient scripts.
Hall of Fame… Inspired by street graffiti art from when he was growing up, Retna’s strokes are a combination of ancient and modern languages such as ancient Incan, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Arabic, Hebrew, and Asian alphabets. His work has caught the eye of Usher, who commissioned the artist to create a portrait of Marvin Gaye, and Justin Bieber, whose 2015 album Purpose was peppered with the artist’s calligraphic touch.
Painting out loud… Using his art as a universal language that speaks to everyone regardless of age, race, views and gender, Retna breaks cultural boundaries with his work, reaching out to secluded and less fortunate communities.
