Niki de Saint Phalle Art for Sale: Prints & Originals

Biography

Niki de Saint Phalle, born in 1930 in France, was immersed from an early age in culture and arts, which played a fundamental role in shaping her creative outlook. Despite lacking any formal education in art, her passion for it was evident in her early paintings, which revealed a bold, intuitive approach. Her experiences, including a tumultuous childhood and a brief career as a model, greatly influenced her thematic focus on feminist and societal issues.

In the 1950s, her style evolved dramatically as she began to experiment with various mediums, leading to her popular shooting paintings, where she fired a rifle at paint-filled balloons, creating literally explosive and vivid canvases that challenged traditional art-making processes.

Her most famous works, the Nanas–exuberant, colourful, large-scale sculptures of women–became symbols of female empowerment and joy. These works, along with her architectural projects like the Tarot Garden in Italy, showcased her unique ability to combine art with public spaces. Her exhibitions across the globe, including retrospectives at prestigious institutions, solidified her reputation as a groundbreaking artist.

De Saint Phalle's career evolved through a series of projects and collaborations that garnered her recognition as a visionary in the art world. One of her most significant early works was featured at the Hon exhibition in 1966 at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm. Her sculpture of a reclining woman that visitors could enter, was a powerful statement on femininity and the female body.

This project, a collaboration with Jean Tinguely and Per Olof Ultvedt, was grand in its scale and interactive nature, challenging perceptions of art and space. Her involvement in public art projects, notably the Stravinsky Fountain near the Centre Pompidou in Paris, highlighted her skill in integrating art within urban landscapes. De Saint Phalle's art consistently pushed the boundaries of traditional mediums, employing everything from polyester and stone to mirrors and stained glass, reflecting her diverse and exploratory spirit. Her legacy extends beyond her vibrant sculptures and installations, influencing discussions around public art and the role of women in the art, inspiring new generations to embrace boldness and innovation in their work.

The Shooting paintings, or Tirs, created by de Saint Phalle in the early 1960s, marked a significant turning point in her career. In shooting bags of paint with a rifle, de Saint Phalle was able to experiment creatively while also discovering and creating a form of personal catharsis. De Saint Phalle used this violent yet creative process to confront and release the emotional turmoil from her troubled past, including her experiences of trauma and abuse. These paintings, with their aggressive yet constructive nature, highlighted her approach to transforming personal pain into powerful narratives, challenging traditional notions of both art making and the role of the artist.
The Tarot Garden, or Il Giardino dei Tarocchi, was one of de Saint Phalle's most ambitious and personal projects, spanning over two decades of her career. Located in Tuscany, Italy, this sprawling sculpture garden features monumental works representing the characters of the Tarot deck, a subject that deeply fascinated de Saint Phalle. The project showcases her interest in myth, symbolism, and the interplay between the mystical and the material world. The garden stands as a testament to de Saint Phalle's visionary approach to art, where she fused the fantastical with the physical, inviting visitors to step into a living, breathing world of myth and imagination.
In the latter part of her career, de Saint Phalle dedicated a significant portion of her efforts towards public health advocacy, with a particular focus on raising awareness about HIV/AIDS. This commitment was not only reflected in her vocal support for those affected by the disease but also manifested in her art.
De Saint Phalle's commitment to AIDS advocacy intensified as the disease increasingly affected her circle, including many gay friends, leading her to leverage her art for greater awareness and education. In 1990, she expanded her efforts with an animated movie based on her book, created in collaboration with her son Philip, showcasing at Paris's Museum of Arts Décoratifs alongside an exhibition and a republication of her book for French audiences. This multifaceted approach, combining literature, film, and exhibitions, underscored de Saint Phalle's dedication to using her artistic platform to challenge the stigma surrounding AIDS and promote a message of compassion and understanding.