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In a recent Vlad TV interview, iconic artist Retna shared insights into his artistic journey, from early graffiti days to international fine art acclaim. Growing up in Los Angeles’ Mid-City Koreatown neighborhood during the ’80s and ’90s, Retna was deeply influenced by the city’s vibrant street culture. He began tagging as early as age eight, initially imitating others’ names before creating his own unique identity—Retna.
His passion for calligraphy and penmanship, nurtured in Catholic schools and youth programs, heavily shaped his distinctive lettering style. Retna also talked about the significance of his multicultural heritage—Blackfoot Native American, Salvadoran, Mexican, and Spanish roots—which informs much of his work’s symbolism.
From tagging walls to collaborating with major brands like Louis Vuitton and designing Justin Bieber’s album cover, Retna has seamlessly transitioned from underground graffiti artist to celebrated fine artist, bridging cultures and art forms with his signature script.
