*APC ART is pleased to present “Esoteric Rings,” an exceptional and wholly unique original painting by RETNA (Marquis Lewis), executed in 2018 at the artist’s legendary Santa Fe Ave studio in Los Angeles, California.*

*Executed in acrylic, watercolor, and ink on card stock, this monumental original work measures approximately 100 × 79 cm (39.4 × 31.1 inches) and stands as a breathtaking example of RETNA’s continual evolution as one of the most influential and enigmatic artists working in contemporary art today.*

*RETNA first rose to prominence through the legendary graffiti crews MSK and AWR in Los Angeles, where his striking hand style and deeply intellectual approach to letterform immediately distinguished him from his contemporaries. Over the years, Marquis Lewis has transcended graffiti entirely — becoming a globally recognized contemporary artist whose works exist in the collections of celebrities, athletes, major financiers, museums, and some of the most important private collections in the world.*

*At the center of RETNA’s practice is his constructed script known as “Margraves” — a visual language derived from an extraordinary fusion of influences including Gothic blackletter, Arabic calligraphy, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Hebrew script, and traditional graffiti letter structures. The resulting compositions are both ancient and futuristic — spiritual yet aggressive — immediately recognizable as the work of RETNA.*

*Throughout his career RETNA has exhibited internationally to tremendous acclaim, with sold-out gallery exhibitions around the globe. His collaborations with institutions and luxury brands alike — including Louis Vuitton and the Kennedy Center Opera production of Aida — further solidified his place as one of the defining artists of his generation.*

*The artist’s life and career have also been marked by tremendous highs and lows. Public battles with addiction, destructive behavior, and controversy have only intensified the mythology surrounding RETNA. Much like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Vincent van Gogh before him, many collectors and critics view RETNA as a tortured genius — an artist whose personal chaos and brilliance are deeply intertwined within the work itself.*

*“Esoteric Rings” is an especially compelling work because it moves beyond RETNA’s more rigid and structured compositions into something far more gestural, painterly, and emotionally charged. Sweeping loops, layered brushwork, washes of watercolor, and spontaneous movements collide across the surface — creating a composition that feels almost musical in rhythm.*

*The work possesses tremendous movement and energy. Rings, loops, symbols, and fragments of Margraves script emerge and dissolve throughout the composition. The translucent watercolor passages create depth and atmosphere while the heavier acrylic and ink gestures anchor the work with physicality and force.*

*Unlike RETNA’s editioned paper works, this is a *fully unique original painting* — a direct artifact from the artist’s hand and studio practice. Works of this caliber and scale from the Santa Fe Ave period are becoming increasingly difficult to acquire, particularly as collectors continue shifting toward important one-of-one RETNA originals rather than editioned material.*

*This is the type of work that completely transforms a space. Sophisticated yet raw, elegant yet chaotic — “Esoteric Rings” is the embodiment of everything that has made RETNA one of the most compelling artists in the contemporary art landscape.*

*The work is in excellent condition and presents beautifully.*

*The work is in hand and will ship immediately from the USA.*

*APC ART is pleased to offer archival / museum-quality framing options upon request.*

*An extraordinary investment opportunity and an absolutely stunning original work by one of the true living legends of contemporary art.*

*Proudly and exclusively offered by APC ART.*

*ATL. MIA. NYC. LA. PARIS. LONDON. TOKYO*

Provenance
Private collection; Austin, Texas. USA
INCLUDED WITH THE WORK WILL BE A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY ISSUED BY APC ART (WITH THE GALLERY’S BLIND STAMP), GUARANTEEING AUTHENTICITY IN PERPETUITY. 

Condition
As executed by the artist at his Santa Fe Ave Studio. Any imperfections (tears, smears, scuffs etc) are part of the creative process.