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Part 1: Retna on Learning to Paint, How He Got His Name, Transitioning from Graffiti to Fine Art
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Renowned artist Retna shares insights into his unique journey from street-inspired muralism to gallery success, highlighting an unconventional path distinct from traditional graffiti-to-gallery transitions. Influenced by LA’s Chicano muralism and artists like El Mac and Gustav Klimt, Retna moved away from graffiti to large-scale murals before entering the fine art world. His first gallery exhibition was at the iconic Zero One, a space famed for punk rock and avant-garde shows, where he witnessed the art business's complex realities—including issues with payments.
Early sales were modest, with paintings sometimes going for $200, often to supporters from Beverly Hills. Retna also worked with a sales company that paid him a fraction of the resale price while profiting significantly themselves. Attempts to increase prices led to unexpected setbacks when the business was raided by authorities, revealing the challenging and opaque nature of art sales. Despite hurdles, Retna’s resilience and distinct style propelled him from street murals to respected gallery artist.
