Les Abattoirs, Musée – Frac Occitanie Toulouse
October 7, 2022 – March 23 2023
Les Abattoirs, Musée – Frac Occitanie Toulouse is pleased to present an exhibition dedicated to the Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle (1930 – 2002). Nico and Carlotta Delaive loaned several pieces from their private collection to be included in the exhibition.
For the first time, the exhibition focuses on the 1980s and 1990s, a lesser-known period that follows the 1960s and 1970s, made famous by the Tirs and Nanas and by de artist’s proximity to New Realism. The 1980s and 1990s, however, are a testament to Niki de Saint Phalle freedom of expression, her feminism, her attachment to nature and her revolt against all forms of injustice
During this period, Saint Phalle continued to engage the public with works like the Stravinsky Fountain in Paris. She aimed to make art accessible, integrating it into daily life through furniture, jewelry, lithographs, and perfumes.
A dedicated advocate for marginalized communities, Saint Phalle’s feminist convictions and support for causes like AIDS awareness, racial equality, and environmental issues were evident throughout her career. Her candid revelations about her personal life, particularly her book on her father’s incest, invited a deeper understanding of her work. Her later years saw an increased use of expressive calligraphy and powerful words in her art.
The exhibition traces Saint Phalle’s journey from the start of the Tarot Garden in 1978 to her death in 2002. It celebrates her ethos of freedom, inclusion, and joy, reflected in her vibrant motifs and techniques—colored monsters, mosaic sculptures, and animated films—that embrace art, nature, and the human experience.
The exhibition will be on view from 7 October 2022 – 23 March 2023
