Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Retna X BTS Skate Deck 2
Summary
Skate Deck 2 from the Retna x Beyond The Streets series (2018) is an 8.0-inch board in an edition of just 50. Near the top of the series' scarcity hierarchy, it renders Retna's coded script on a functional skateboard produced for the Beyond The Streets exhibition.
Why It Matters
With only 50 examples, Deck 2 is among the two rarest in the five-deck run and a genuine chokepoint for set-builders. Its low edition size gives it standalone collectibility beyond its role in completing the series.
Collector Perspective
At 50 units, availability is tight and original condition becomes decisive. This deck is one of the harder pieces to source when assembling the full set, so collectors often prioritize securing it early. Verify authenticity and unmounted, ungripped condition before acquiring.
Historical Context
Roger Gastman's Beyond The Streets exhibition elevated graffiti and street art history, and Retna's participation situated his alphabet within that canon. The descending edition sizes across the five decks reflect a deliberate scarcity design that this low-run board anchors near the top.
FAQ
How scarce is Deck 2?
It is an edition of 50, one of the two smallest runs in the five-deck series.
What is the board size?
A functional 8.0-inch skate deck.
Why does its edition size matter?
Its low run of 50 makes it a chokepoint for anyone trying to complete the full Retna x BTS deck set.
About the Artist
RETNA (Marquis Lewis, born 1979 in Los Angeles) is an American artist known for a distinctive invented script that fuses graffiti, calligraphy, and historical alphabets including Egyptian hieroglyphs, Arabic, and blackletter. He rose from the LA street-art scene and gained wide recognition in the 2010s through gallery exhibitions and public murals. His hybrid typographic style has led to collaborations with brands and institutions, and his large-scale text-based canvases have been shown internationally. RETNA's coded lettering remains his signature, treated as a personal, largely illegible language.
Collecting Retna at Gauntlet Gallery
What should I look for when buying a RETNA print?
Look for signed and numbered screen prints from documented releases, noting the edition size, paper, and any embossed publisher marks. RETNA's dense script prints are popular, so verify that the signature and numbering match the known edition. Original paintings require thorough provenance. Gauntlet Gallery lists edition details and condition for each RETNA work offered.
How are RETNA works authenticated?
Authentication rests on the publisher's certificate of authenticity, the hand signature, and a clear ownership trail from a gallery, auction house, or the studio. Comparing the print to its published edition specifications is key. Gauntlet Gallery documents each piece with its available paperwork and provenance rather than relying on any authority the artist does not endorse.
What drives value in RETNA's work?
Unique canvases and hand-embellished works sit at the top of the market, followed by low-edition signed prints in strong condition. Value reflects scale, complexity of the script composition, exhibition history, and provenance. Well-preserved, fully documented pieces from recognized editions retain value most reliably.