Los Angeles-based artist RETNA, grown up breathing in and out the creativity of the city’s streets, accesses spaces between text-based imagery and abstract emotive states with his mysterious lines of verse. Each block of text is a sophisticated system of hieroglyphs, calligraphy, and illuminated script. With influences from Arabic, Egyptian, Hebrew, Anglo-Saxon (Old English), and Native American typographies, RETNA’s distinctive language communicates a personal form of poetry. His messages are masked in ciphers: words and meanings that are never immediately revealed, nor capable of being accurately translated.

Mysterious yet instantly recognizable, RETNA’s signature style can be found on walls around the world. He gained attention by tagging high-end fashion labels, eventually leading to collaborations with the brands he once marked, including Louis Vuitton and Chanel, who incorporated his primal aesthetic. His collaborations span across industries, with notable projects for Nike, VistaJet, and a set design for the Los Angeles Opera’s 2016 Aida. He also created the cover art for Justin Bieber’s 2015 album Purpose.