Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Say My Name, So You Can See Me
Summary
Say My Name, So You Can See Me (2017) is a one-color lithograph diptych printed on Marinoni machines, hand-cut, with glitter added by hand, on Vélin d'Arches 400 gsm. Each panel measures 111 x 91 cm in an edition of 99, combining into a large paired composition of Retna's coded script.
Why It Matters
The diptych format is ambitious, spanning two large panels that read as a single statement. Printed on heavyweight Vélin d'Arches with hand-applied glitter, it merges fine-art lithography with tactile embellishment. The title's plea for legibility speaks directly to Retna's core theme of naming and being seen.
Collector Perspective
As a two-panel work, presentation and matched framing are central, and both panels must be present and correctly paired. At an edition of 99 it is more available than the stone runs of 12, but its scale and diptych structure give it exceptional display impact. Confirm glitter condition and edition numbering on both sheets.
Historical Context
The title extends Retna's preoccupation with language as recognition, echoing his roots in tagging, where a name asserts presence. The 400 gsm Vélin d'Arches and Marinoni printing situate this 2017 diptych among his most materially serious editioned works.
FAQ
Is this one print or two?
It is a diptych, two panels each measuring 111 x 91 cm that together form a single composition.
What paper and finish are used?
Vélin d'Arches 400 gsm with hand-applied glitter over a one-color lithograph.
What does the title reference?
It echoes Retna's core theme that naming makes a person visible, rooted in the graffiti tradition of asserting presence through a name.
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.