Occult Artifact Art refers to the artistic representation of mystical or hidden objects that hold supernatural or magical powers. These artifacts are often associated with occultism, witchcraft, and esoteric practices. They are believed to possess extraordinary qualities and are revered by those who practice or study the occult. Throughout history, various cultures have produced and depicted these occult artifacts in their art. From ancient civilizations to modern times, artists have depicted these objects in paintings, sculptures, and other art forms. These artworks provide insight into the beliefs, rituals, and symbolism associated with the occult.
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WITCH-IKON gathers a selection of images of witches and their diabolical magic, emphasizing the range of artistic depictions that have helped coalesce this most powerful of modern supernatural icons. The artist imbues elegant swoops to his ink-like letters to create an expression, a statement, a message that conveys intellectual contemplation and restraint.
These artworks provide insight into the beliefs, rituals, and symbolism associated with the occult. One notable example of occult artifact art is found in the Egyptian civilization. The Egyptians believed in the power of amulets and talismans, which were thought to grant protection and bring good fortune.
RETNA Esoteric Existence Black Silkscreen Print Contemporary Art
Artist: RETNA
Title: Esoteric Existence Black
Medium: Silkscreen
Size: 44 2/3" x 32 2/3" framed
Edition: X/12
Years: 2011
Condition: Very good quality overall, request a full condition report for details
Documentation: Includes Gallery Certificate of Authenticity
Please note: This RETNA piece has been sold and is no longer available. We are always interested in buying more RETNA works to ensure we are offering the best possible selection for our customers, so please reach out to us directly if you are looking to sell. If you are interested in purchasing RETNA works, please check our website routinely for new inventory.
RETNA is a renowned contemporary graffiti street artist. His art merges visual linguistics with urban symbolism by using a unique lexicon and visual language stemming from various text and letters.
Some of his textual influences include Blackletter, Arabic, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, East Asian alphabets, Hebrew calligraphy, and Native American typographies. More specifically, he uses Old English as a foundation and strips letters to their core. Through his distinctive language and style, he strives to communicate personal messages and poetry masked within a cipher. The actual words and meanings of his artworks are never immediately revealed, and no accurate translations exist.
Esoteric Existence Black consists of clean yet intricate black linework against a faded black background. The artist imbues elegant swoops to his ink-like letters to create an expression, a statement, a message that conveys intellectual contemplation and restraint. Each block of text reflects RETNA’s system of combined hieroglyphs, calligraphy, and illuminated script. Additionally, his use of a feather-tipped paintbrush allows him to imbue his characters with an air-like quality.
Esoteric Existence Black includes a gallery certificate of authenticity. Furthermore, the artwork is in very good quality overall. Please request a condition report for full details. About RETNA:
RETNA is a renowned contemporary graffiti street artist currently based in Los Angeles, California. Today, his art is instantly recognizable by his use of a graphic and geometric script. His practice highlights the merge of visual linguistics with urban symbolism. RETNA creates public murals, paintings on canvas, and even sculptural work.
Marquis Lewis, the artist’s legal name, was born and raised in Los Angeles. With the constant moving between several schools in the Los Angeles area as a child, he became involved in the graffiti culture. By the time he was in high school, he was already leading one of the largest graffiti art collectives in the city. By the early 1990s, his career as a street and graffiti artist had begun. In 1996, he derived the moniker RETNA from the lyrics of a Wu-Tang Clan song.
Throughout his career, RETNA has developed and constructed his unique lexicon and visual language stemming from various text and letters. Some of his textual influences include Blackletter, Arabic, Egyptian Hieroglyphics, East Asian alphabets, Hebrew calligraphy, and Native American typographies. More specifically, he uses Old English as a foundation and strips letters to their core. Furthermore, illuminated manuscripts, Renaissance painting imagery, and contemporary text-based art influence his textual styling.
Each block of text reflects RETNA’s system of combined hieroglyphs, calligraphy, and illuminated script. Through his distinctive language and style, he strives to communicate personal messages and poetry that are not easily decipherable by the viewer. Instead, he masks his messages in ciphers. The actual words and meanings of his artworks are never immediately revealed, and no accurate translations exist.
Aside from being heavily inspired by old cultures and their writing systems, his work is also reminiscent of traditional street-based graffiti writing. Some of his inspirations include American graffiti artists Saber and David Choe. However, RETNA’s language is visually softer in appearance when compared to other forms of street graffiti. The artist imbues elegant swoops to his ink-like letters to create poetic statements, messages that convey intellectual contemplation and restraint.
Embracing his mixed cultural background, RETNA highlights his interest in combining multiple cultures through his work. Furthermore, his visual vocabulary embraces the history of various civilizations and cross-cultural commonalities as it reflects the harsh reality of urbanism. Though his script style alludes to the calligraphy styling of multiple cultures, his compositions are in English and Spanish. However, RETNA has stated that the words he uses do not belong to a specific language. His text is universal and eclectic, which allows for the detailing to be identifiable by a multitude of cultures.
RETNA’s work has exhibited in galleries and other venues throughout the world in places such as Los Angeles, Miami, Milan, London, New York, and Hong Kong. He has also collaborated on advertising campaigns with brands such as VistaJet, Louis Vuitton, and Nike. Notably, his work appeared in the cover of Justin Bieber’s 2015 album Purpose.
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Artworks from this era often depict scarab beetles, Eye of Horus, and other symbolic objects associated with the occult. In medieval Europe, occult artifact art was prevalent during the time of alchemy and astrology. Paintings and manuscripts depicted the various tools used by alchemists and astrologers, such as the philosopher's stone, the astrological wheel, and magical symbols. These artworks aimed to capture the mystical and transformative nature of these practices. During the Victorian era, the interest in the occult surged, leading to a resurgence in occult artifact art. Artists like William Blake and Aubrey Beardsley incorporated occult symbols and imagery into their works. These artworks often depicted mythical creatures, ancient texts, and ritualistic objects associated with occult practices. In modern times, occult artifact art continues to captivate and inspire artists and audiences alike. Artists like H.R. Giger and Alejandro Jodorowsky have created elaborate and intricate artworks that blend occult symbolism with science fiction and surrealism. These artworks explore themes of spirituality, human consciousness, and the hidden realms of existence. Occult artifact art serves as a visual representation of the elusive and enigmatic nature of the occult. Whether it is through ancient artifacts or contemporary creations, these artworks offer a glimpse into the mysteries and hidden knowledge that lie beyond the mundane world. They evoke a sense of wonder, curiosity, and fascination, allowing viewers to explore the realms of the unknown and the supernatural..
Reviews for "Forgotten Relics: Rediscovering the Artistry of Occult Artifacts"
1. Emily - 2/5 stars - I didn't enjoy the "Occult artifact art" exhibition at all. I found it to be dark and disturbing, with little artistic value. The pieces seemed to glorify violence and demonic symbols, which made me uncomfortable. There was also a lack of creativity and originality in the artwork, with many cliché and predictable elements. Overall, this exhibition left me feeling disturbed and disappointed.
2. Nicholas - 1/5 stars - "Occult artifact art" was a complete waste of time for me. The pieces lacked any sort of artistic merit and felt more like shock value attempts. The use of occult symbols and dark imagery was not thought-provoking, but rather, the art came off as trying too hard to be edgy and controversial. There was no depth or meaning to be found in the pieces, making the whole exhibition feel shallow and devoid of any artistic integrity.
3. Samantha - 2/5 stars - I attended the "Occult artifact art" exhibition with high hopes, but I was sorely disappointed. The art felt gimmicky and forced, using the occult theme as a cheap ploy to grab attention. The pieces lacked skill and technique, and many seemed hastily put together. Additionally, the exhibition as a whole lacked coherence, with no clear message or purpose behind the art. I left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with the experience.
4. Daniel - 1/5 stars - I regret visiting the "Occult artifact art" exhibition. The art presented lacked any sense of originality and was simply a rehashing of tired occult tropes. The artists seemed more interested in shock value than in creating meaningful and thought-provoking art. Overall, the whole exhibition felt like a poorly executed attempt at being provocative, and I would not recommend it to anyone looking for quality art.
5. Laura - 2/5 stars - "Occult artifact art" was not my cup of tea. The dark and macabre subject matter failed to captivate me. The pieces lacked innovation and creativity, instead relying on predictable imagery and symbols associated with the occult. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore the deeper aspects of the theme. While I understand that art can be subjective, this exhibition fell short for me, leaving me unengaged and indifferent.