RETNA | Appetite for Destruction
Marquis Lewis, known as RETNA, is a Los Angeles-based artist with a multicultural lineage, who became notable in the urban art scene for his distinctive calligraphic style and complex typographic artworks. Drawing on influences from ancient scripts and contemporary street art, RETNA crafts enigmatic texts using a hybrid alphabet that blends elements from various cultures and historical periods. His works, often executed with a combination of paintbrush and spray can, are known for their intricate detail and layered meanings, reflecting the interplay between historical relevance and the stark realities of urban life. Gaining recognition with high-profile murals and collaborations with brands like Louis Vuitton, RETNA has transitioned into the contemporary art sphere with notable exhibitions at LA's MOCA and the San Francisco Legion of Honor. His design work includes the album cover for Justin Bieber’s "Purpose" and stage design for the opera "AIDA." Today, RETNA continues to be a prominent figure in graffiti art, with his pieces highly sought after in the international art market.
RETNA (b. 1979)
Diptych 2, 2023
Acrylic on Paper
60 x 80.50 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
I Love You, Not Just You, 2023
Acrylic and microbead on Canvas
72 x 72 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
A Night's Rest, 2023
Acrylic and Crystaline on canvas with leather stitching
72 x 60 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on paper
60 x 40.24 in
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RETNA (b. 1979)
No Off Switch, 2023
Acrylic on canvas with leather stitching
72.25 x 60 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
When Gods Gets Angry, 2011
Enamel on polished WW2 D3 metal floorboard
120 x 70.50 x 3 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
Basket Knots, 2023
Acrylic on Canvas
72 x 60 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
Diptych 1, 2023
Acrylic on Paper
60 x 80.50 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
I Love You, Except You, 2023
Acrylic and Crystaline on Canvas
72 x 72 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
Untitled, 2023
Acrylic on paper
60 x 40.24 in
RETNA (b. 1979)
Slang Them Colors, 2020
Acrylic on canvas with leather stitching
96 x 72 in
– Burgess Modern + Contemporary is honored to announce the opening of RETNA - "Appetite for Destruction”, a groundbreaking exhibition by the enigmatic street artist known as RETNA, launching December 2023.
RETNA, celebrated for his unique visual language that synthesizes calligraphy with street-style graffiti, presents a provocative new series that redefines the act of creation. In a radical shift from tradition, RETNA – “Appetite for Destruction” showcases artworks that have been intentionally torn apart and then meticulously restored, an allegory of vulnerability and resilience.
This exhibition features works that are at once self-destructive and self-healing, mirroring the human condition. RETNA's distinctive script, inspired by Native American, Hebrew, Arabic, and Egyptian cultures, is physically transformed through aggressive techniques like slashing and gouging, only to be reborn through the healing act of stitching. This process is not merely for spectacle; it is a ritual of atonement, a narrative of redemption that unfolds through each suture.
Among the exhibition's highlights is "Basket Knots”, 2023 – a canvas that intertwines typographic design with abstract expressionism. The work is an intricate tapestry of characters and symbols, each stroke and seam a testament to the interconnectedness of communication and culture.
"Slang Them Colors" is another poignant piece, a typographic homage to the artist’s late father. Its red, white, and blue palette powerfully evokes American heritage, while the physical renditions of cuts and stitches on the canvas symbolize a deeply personal journey through grief and remembrance.
RETNA's exhibition is not only a visual feast but also an intellectual challenge. It confronts viewers with the impermanence of art and life, urging them to find beauty in the ephemeral and to reconsider the true value of art beyond the constraints of the market.
Burgess Modern + Contemporary invites you to experience the transformative power of RETNA - "Appetite for Destruction”. It is a rare opportunity to engage with artworks that encapsulate the cycle of destruction and rebirth, challenging the boundaries of artistic expression and offering a profound commentary on the nature of creation itself.
Join us in witnessing the evolution of an artist who defies categorization, embracing the impermanence and continual progression that define both life and art.