{"product_id":"victoria","title":"Victoria","description":"\u003cp\u003e*APC ART is pleased to present “Victoria,” an exceptional and wholly unique original work by internationally acclaimed contemporary artist RETNA (Marquis Lewis).*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Executed by the artist at his legendary Santa Fe Avenue studio in Los Angeles in 2018, this work is an original watercolor painting on wove paper — a medium and format that perfectly showcases the raw elegance and spiritual intensity of RETNA’s unmistakable visual language.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*The work measures approximately 29.75 × 24 inches unframed and approximately 35.75 × 30 inches framed. The piece has been professionally framed to true archival standard under museum glass within a hand-cut contemporary black frame, allowing the work to immediately hang and be enjoyed upon arrival.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*RETNA — born Marquis Lewis — is widely considered one of the most important and influential artists to emerge from the Los Angeles graffiti movement. Beginning with the legendary MSK and AWR graffiti crews in Los Angeles, RETNA rapidly distinguished himself through an entirely unique visual language he refers to as “Margraves.”*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Margraves is not simply graffiti lettering — it is a fully constructed symbolic script drawing influence from ancient calligraphy, Arabic, Egyptian hieroglyphics, Hebrew text, Gothic blackletter, and traditional illuminated manuscripts. Through RETNA’s hand, these influences are transformed into something completely singular and unmistakably his own.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*What makes RETNA’s work so compelling is the balance between raw street energy and refined visual sophistication. His works simultaneously feel ancient and futuristic — aggressive yet meditative — spiritual while remaining deeply rooted in contemporary urban culture.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Over the course of his career RETNA has exhibited internationally to enormous acclaim, with exhibitions consistently selling out almost immediately. His works are collected by major celebrities, musicians, athletes, financiers, museums, and prominent international collectors. His murals can be seen throughout Los Angeles, Miami, New York, and cities across the world.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*RETNA’s collaborations and commissions have become legendary within contemporary culture. From his collaborations with Louis Vuitton to his redesign work for the Kennedy Center Opera production of “Aida,” RETNA has continually bridged the worlds of luxury, fine art, fashion, music, and street culture in ways very few artists have successfully achieved.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Like many of the most compelling artists of his generation, Marquis Lewis’ life has also experienced turbulence and controversy — battles with addiction, personal struggles, and public scrutiny — yet through the highs and lows RETNA has remained one of the most enigmatic and sought-after artists in the contemporary landscape.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*“Victoria” is an extraordinary example of RETNA’s ability to reduce his visual language into its purest and most elegant form. Executed in fluid watercolor across wove paper, the work possesses an immediacy and rawness that feels incredibly intimate — as though witnessing the artist’s visual language being created in real time.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*The soft transparency of the watercolor medium contrasts beautifully against the strength and authority of the black Margraves forms. One can see the push and pull between structure and improvisation — between discipline and instinct — that defines RETNA’s greatest works.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Importantly, the work is additionally signed by the artist en verso in further Margraves calligraphy (as can be seen in the final picture), providing another deeply personal and unique touch from the artist.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*This is not a print or editioned work — it is a fully unique original painting executed directly by RETNA at his famed Santa Fe Avenue studio during one of the strongest periods of his artistic career.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Original RETNA works of this quality and scale have become increasingly difficult to source, particularly examples with such strong composition, excellent provenance, and museum-quality presentation.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*The work remains in the condition as was executed by RETNA.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*The work is in hand and ready for immediate shipment from the USA.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*An exceptional centerpiece work by one of the most important and influential contemporary artists of his generation.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*Proudly and exclusively offered by APC ART.*\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e*ATL. MIA. NYC. LA. PARIS. LONDON. TOKYO*\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003ePrivate collection, Los Angeles, CA. USA. \u003cbr\u003ePrivate Collection, Atlanta, Georgia. USA. \u003cbr\u003eINCLUDED WITH THE WORK WILL BE A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY ISSUED BY APC ART (with the gallery’s blind stamp), guaranteeing authenticity in perpetuity. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAs executed by the artist. Framed to museum standard.Shows incredibly well, any imperfections are a result of the artist’s creative process.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"RETNA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48654891319450,"sku":null,"price":9000.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0600\/8917\/2122\/files\/larger_6d5c655e-05a9-4300-805f-0dc6934acc3b.jpg?v=1783192173","url":"https:\/\/apc-art.com\/products\/victoria","provider":"APC Gallery","version":"1.0","type":"link"}