Love Letter to San Diego: RETNA’s “Carta de Amor” at Madison Gallery

This fall, Madison Gallery is honored to present Carta de Amor (September 3 – October 11, 2025), the first solo exhibition in San Diego by internationally acclaimed artist RETNA (Marquis Lewis), born in Los Angeles in 1979. Known for his distinctive calligraphic script — a fusion of Arabic, Hebrew, hieroglyphics, and graffiti — RETNA has brought his language from the streets to major institutions and collaborations with Louis Vuitton, Chanel, and Nike.

With a career spanning more than two decades, RETNA’s work has been exhibited in leading cultural institutions including The Smithsonian Institution, the Museum of Contemporary Art Los Angeles, and the Kennedy Center. Recognized for large-scale public works and an influential presence bridging street culture and contemporary art, RETNA now turns his focus inward — offering a deeply personal meditation on love, loss, and healing.

Carta de Amor explores the many forms of love and the redemptive power of connection through new canvases, mixed-media works, and site-specific installations. This exhibition represents the pinnacle of RETNA’s artistic and personal evolution — a powerful blend of calligraphy, abstraction, and cultural symbolism. His universal visual language is not meant to be read but felt, blurring the line between sacred text and urban expression.

After nearly a decade of friendship and collaboration, RETNA has now signed exclusively with Madison Gallery, and gallery founder Lorna York is honored to represent him and debut this important body of work in San Diego. She sat down with RETNA to talk about this new chapter of his career, his creative process, and the inspiration behind Carta de Amor.

Lorna York: This is your first major solo show in San Diego. Why now, and why Madison Gallery?

RETNA: San Diego has always been a place I hold dear in my heart, especially since its proximity to the border brings a distinctive cultural energy that resonates with my work. I’ve always seen murals as more than decoration — they’re invitations to dialogue and transformation. I felt called to bring this dialogue, through Carta de Amor, to San Diego. Madison Gallery’s vision and its commitment to fostering community made it the perfect place for this show.

Lorna: The title of your exhibition translates to “Love Letter.” What does that mean for you?

RETNA: I wanted to create something rooted in love — love for self, love for others, love as a spiritual force. This is a moment when connection matters more than ever, and Carta de Amor is my response. My wife, Veronika, has been a source of inspiration in this chapter. Her presence challenges me to grow as an artist and as a person. Love became the language I wanted to paint with.

Lorna: Your script is iconic. How does Carta de Amor expand or evolve your artistic language?

RETNA: My language has always been about rhythm and energy — calligraphy that carries vibration. In this series, I wanted the script to feel more intimate, almost like a whisper. The works are still bold, but the energy is softer, more personal. It’s less about defiance and more about surrender — surrendering to love, honesty, and connection.

Lorna: You often describe “living artfully.” What does that mean to you?

RETNA: It means designing everything with intention — our homes, our days, our work. Our spaces are filled with vintage cars, African art, spiritual relics, all of it carrying meaning. For us, luxury isn’t about excess — it’s about peace and freedom. Freedom to create, freedom to share it with our family and friends.

Lorna: What do you hope people take away when they visit Carta de Amor?

RETNA: I hope they feel the vibration of love. Not just romance, but love as a spiritual force — as something healing, protective, and transformative. My wish is that people walk away with a sense of connection, that they carry some of that energy with them.

Lorna: What’s next for you beyond this exhibition?

RETNA: I’m interested in collaborations that bridge art with architecture and design — creating environments, not just canvases. I want to keep exploring ways to use my language as a tool for collective healing and storytelling. And continuing to build a life and practice rooted in love with my wife is part of that vision.

Love, art, spirituality, and collaboration converge in RETNA’s new work, inviting audiences to experience art as a universal language. Carta de Amor is on view September 3 – October 11, 2025, at Madison Gallery, 320 S. Cedros Ave, Suite 200, Solana Beach. Meet RETNA at the Opening Reception on Saturday, September 20, from 6 to 9pm. RSVP at info@madisongalleries.com.

Founded by Lorna York, Madison Gallery has been a cornerstone of contemporary art in Southern California for more than two decades. Located in Solana Beach, the gallery is recognized for its curatorial vision and commitment to cultivating the careers of internationally renowned and emerging artists alike. With a focus on museum-quality exhibitions, Madison Gallery continues to bring world-class art experiences to San Diego while fostering meaningful dialogue between artists and the community.