APC ART is pleased to offer our global collector base this exceptional and historically significant original work on paper by internationally renowned street art legend RETNA (Marquis Lewis).
This rare drawing is the original preparatory study for RETNA’s celebrated painting created for the San Francisco Opera House, AIDA, and was also used as the basis for the official show poster.
As such, this work represents a unique opportunity to own a direct piece of both contemporary street art and cultural history.
Executed in graphite on paper, this study captures the artist’s signature linear abstraction and fluid, calligraphic hand.
The composition, composed of overlapping, stylized portraiture, demonstrates the immediacy and raw energy of RETNA’s process, stripped down to its purest form.
RETNA has built an international reputation as one of the most influential contemporary artists of the 21st century, merging influences from Blackletter, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Arabic and Hebrew calligraphy, and traditional graffiti into a wholly original visual language.
His works have been exhibited globally, collected by major celebrities, and commissioned for some of the most prestigious institutions in the world.
The AIDA project marked a significant milestone in RETNA’s career, bringing his distinctive aesthetic into the realm of opera and fine performance art.
This original study serves as both a blueprint and an intimate glimpse into the mind of the artist during the creation of one of his most celebrated public works.
This work is unframed and in condition as gifted by the artist, directly from his studio on Santa Fe Ave , exactly as executed by the artist.
Archival framing options are available upon request for Artsy clients, allowing this piece to be preserved and displayed as the museum-quality work it is.
Opportunities to acquire RETNA originals directly connected to major public commissions are exceedingly rare — this piece offers both cultural significance and investment potential.
OFFERED EXCLUSIVELY BY APC ART.
MIA. LA. ATL. NYC. LONDON. PARIS. TOKYO
CARE & MAINTENANCE
To maintain the beauty and integrity of your purchase, we recommend treating it with care. Simple maintenance practices, such as gentle washing and proper storage, can effectively preserve the longevity of your favorites. We encourage you to refer to the care instructions included with each item, designed to help you keep your purchase in top condition.
SHIPPING & RETURNS
We strive to process and ship all orders in a timely manner, working diligently to ensure that your items are on their way to you as soon as possible. Need to return something? Just let us know.
Embracing small joys
Each item is designed to blend harmoniously with your living space while adding a unique touch. We aspire to bring balance and enrichment to everyday life.