Gauntlet Gallery — Retna Print Index
Untitled
Summary
Untitled, 2009, is a benefit print published by Paperworks Laboratories in collaboration with the legendary Los Angeles graffiti crew AWR/MSK, released to coincide with their 'Send Lawyers, Guns and Money' show at Canvas. It measures 24 x 18 inches in an edition of 100.
Why It Matters
This print ties RETNA directly to AWR/MSK, the influential LA graffiti crew central to his origins, and to a benefit cause. Its exhibition link to 'Send Lawyers, Guns and Money' at Canvas gives it clear provenance. An edition of 100 made it accessible while documenting RETNA's crew affiliations.
Collector Perspective
The AWR/MSK crew association and benefit-print context give this Untitled work strong cultural and provenance appeal. At 24 x 18 inches in an edition of 100, it is among the more attainable RETNA-linked releases. Collectors should confirm the Paperworks Laboratories and crew provenance and any signature.
Historical Context
Released in 2009 as a benefit tied to the 'Send Lawyers, Guns and Money' exhibition at Canvas, this print reflects RETNA's roots in the AWR/MSK graffiti crew, one of Los Angeles's most storied. It captures the collaborative, community-oriented spirit of the LA street-art scene that shaped his practice.
FAQ
What crew is this print connected to?
It was created with the Los Angeles graffiti crew AWR/MSK.
What was the occasion?
A benefit print coinciding with the 'Send Lawyers, Guns and Money' show at Canvas.
Who published it?
Paperworks Laboratories published the print.
What is the edition size?
The edition is 100, measuring 24 x 18 inches.
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.