Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002) was a French-American artist renowned for her distinctive and vibrant works that spanned a variety of media, including sculpture, painting, and assemblage. Born Catherine Marie-Agnès Fal de Saint Phalle in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, she was largely self-taught and began her artistic journey in the 1950s after a mental breakdown led her to channel her emotions into art.
Saint Phalle first gained international recognition with her “Tirs” series in the early 1960s, where she created relief paintings by embedding objects in plaster and shooting at them with a rifle to release layers of color and debris. These provocative performances were a form of controlled destruction, symbolizing both personal catharsis and a critique of societal norms.
Her most iconic works are the “Nanas,” exuberant, large-scale sculptures of voluptuous female figures. These joyful, colorful creations celebrated the female form and femininity in a way that was both playful and empowering. The “Nanas” were a direct response to the male-dominated art world and challenged traditional representations of women in art.
Saint Phalle’s work extended beyond traditional art spaces. One of her most ambitious projects was the “Tarot Garden” in Tuscany, Italy. This monumental sculpture park, inspired by the Tarot cards, features fantastical, larger-than-life figures adorned with mirrors, glass, and ceramic mosaics. The project, which took over 20 years to complete, embodies her vision of art as a transformative and immersive experience.
Throughout her career, Saint Phalle’s work was deeply personal yet universally resonant, addressing themes of gender, identity, and social justice. Her bold use of color, form, and unconventional materials established her as a pioneering figure in contemporary art.
Nico came in contact with Niki de Saint Phalle through Sam Francis who send him to her studio in La Jolla in San Diego, California. De Saint Phalle had taken refuge in the beachfront town in the 1990s after the demise of her husband artist Jean Tinguely and continued to make highly colorful pieces there.
Nico met her in her studio, then saw her frequently at openings and later collaborated with her on an edition of a 150 vase-like table sculptures, titled The Couple. As testimony of their friendship De Saint Phalle designed the birth card for Nico’s daughter, who he named Niki. Niki Delaive, now working at the Gallery, forms a living tribute to Delaive’s love and dedication for the legendary French-American artist.
