*APC ART is pleased to present an exceptionally important, early, one-of-one painting by RETNA (Marquis Lewis), executed at the absolute height of the artist’s creative and cultural impact.*

**The work has been framed to museum standard. Please see the last picture for the actual frame you will receive.**

**This is an absolutely stunning, iconic work executed by *RETNA* at the height of his artistry.**

Executed in **2010** at RETNA’s Santa Fe Avenue studio in Los Angeles, *Western Ways (Revelations)* represents the artist at a critical and widely celebrated moment—when his signature calligraphic language, known as *Margraves*, reached full maturity. This period is regarded by collectors and scholars alike as RETNA at the peak of his artistry, where structure, rhythm, and symbolism are perfectly balanced.

Rendered in gold-toned acrylic on wove fine art paper, this unique painting exemplifies RETNA’s deeply studied visual language, which draws influence from Olde English, ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs, Hebrew, Sanskrit, Arabic, and numerous other historical scripts, while remaining entirely original. The result is a work that feels both ancient and contemporary—ceremonial, intellectual, and visually commanding.

Adding to its exceptional rarity, the work features a fully executed colored-pencil portrait on the **en verso**, depicting a soldier rendered with remarkable sensitivity and detail. Two-sided works of this caliber from RETNA are exceedingly rare and elevate the piece firmly into museum-quality territory.

RETNA’s influence on contemporary art is undeniable. Rising from the Los Angeles graffiti movement, he redefined the intersection of street art, fine art, and calligraphy. Despite well-documented legal challenges later in his career, demand for his work has only intensified. His collectors include some of the most prominent figures in music, finance, fashion, and entertainment, as well as major institutional collections worldwide—an elite group united by their ownership of RETNA’s work.

Wherever it is placed, *Western Ways (Revelations)* commands attention. Viewers are consistently drawn in, lingering as they attempt to decipher the script, becoming almost entranced by its complexity and mystery. The work never fails to spark conversation, admiration, and inquiry.

The painting has been **professionally framed to museum standard** using archival materials and will arrive **ready to hang immediately**. 
**Artwork size:** 36” x 24” 
**Framed size:** 38” x 26” x 1.5”

From a market and acquisition standpoint, early, one-of-one RETNA works from this era—particularly examples with executed verso imagery—are increasingly scarce and rarely surface publicly. This represents an **unparalleled investment opportunity** for the most discerning collectors seeking a cornerstone work by one of the defining artists of contemporary calligraphic abstraction.

The work is **in hand** and will **ship immediately**.

*OFFERED EXCLUSIVELY BY APC ART* 
MIA. ATL. NYC. LA. LONDON. PARIS. TOKYO.

Provenance

Purchased directly from the artist’s Santa Fe Ave studio. 

Included with the work will be a certificate of authenticity from APC ART (with the gallery’s blind stamp), guaranteeing authenticity in perpetuity. 

Condition

The work is as executed by the artist at his Santa Fe Ave studio (Los Angeles). Any imperfections are part of the artist’s creative process.