APC ART is pleased to offer our global collector base this extraordinary, large-scale original by RETNA (Marquis Lewis), titled “Illumination Shadow.”

“Illumination Shadow” is a 2020 original acrylic painting on wove paper, measuring approximately 50 x 38 inches (127 x 96.5 cm). On the verso, RETNA has inscribed “AWR” (Angels Will Rise), the name of one of the early Los Angeles graffiti crews to which he belonged — a rare and personal provenance mark.

Visually, this work is commanding. RETNA’s signature “Margraves” script — a hybrid typographic language stitching together Blackletter, Egyptian hieroglyphs, Hebrew, Arabic, and street-calligraphed strokes — surges across the composition in shimmering golds and ambient casts of shadow. The luminous pigment contrasts with negative space to evoke motion, energy, and spiritual weight. Fine irregularities and subtle variations in line thickness and texture are part of the artist’s process, giving each stroke life, resonance, and dimension.

RETNA’s career bridges urban street culture and high-art institutions. Born Marquis Lewis in Los Angeles in 1979, he developed his calligraphic style in the L.A. graffiti scene before evolving it into a universal visual language. His work has been exhibited in major galleries and institutions across Los Angeles, Miami, London, New York, and Hong Kong. In 2016, he was commissioned to design the set and costumes for Aida at the San Francisco Opera, where his script was woven into the staging and visual identity of Verdi’s masterpiece — later reprised at the Washington National Opera. He has also collaborated with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Nike, VistaJet, and created the cover art for Justin Bieber’s “Purpose” album.

RETNA has become a fixture among celebrity and institutional collectors, with his works held by figures in music, fashion, and business worldwide. His 2025 auction record approached $300,000 USD, with countless other works crossing the six-figure threshold. Over the course of his career, his paintings have purportedly traded privately in the seven-figure range, proving RETNA remains a favorite even among the most discerning collectors.

“Illumination Shadow” represents a rare opportunity to acquire a major work that encapsulates the artist’s evolving language and global influence. Large-scale RETNA originals of this caliber are increasingly scarce on the market, and with his continued institutional recognition and commercial demand, they hold immense long-term investment potential.

The work is in hand and will ship immediately from the USA. APC ART is pleased to offer archival framing and white-glove services to ensure safe transit and premier display.

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