Inspired by Niki de Saint Phalle

Before her career as an artist, Niki de Saint Phalle was an actress and model. Entirely self-taught, she quickly became one of the most popular feminist and radical artists. From her Mères dévorantes (Devouring Mothers) to other works such as Mariées grinçantes (Squeaky Brides), without forgetting her iconic Nanas, the artist has shown her commitment to an unflinching and truly unique style. 

After a nervous breakdown at the age of 22, the artist is institutionalized and receives electric shock therapy, which severely affects her memory. It's at this moment that she begins to paint. “I started painting when I was living amidst craziness... “ she shares. “In it, I found the dark universe of insanity and its cure. I learnt how to translate my feelings, my fears, my hopes and my joy into painting."

In 1961, she presents her project titled Tirs (Shots) to the public. As the name may suggest, the artist used a rifle for this performance, shooting at plaster-mounted balloons filled with paint. These shows enabled the artist to display otherwise unseen outward violence, operating as a sort of catharsis for Saint Phalle's inner demons. Little by little, the feminist artist begins to tackle the various tropes associated with women and femininity: the witch, the young wife, the mother and the “nana" (or girl) which will come to be at the center of her works. 

In addition to her drawings and sculptures, the artist also worked on monumental architectural projects. Between 1969 and 1971, Niki de Saint Phalle created three large-scale sculptures, hidden in the Maures Massifs of the South of France. From 1979 onward, she became entirely dedicated to her “Tarot Garden" in Tuscany, housing numerous glass mosaic structures made of cement. This garden is composed of the tarot's twenty-two major arcana including the Magician, the Sun, the Devil and the Moon.

Niki de Saint Phalle's body of work remains colorful and all the more relevant today, continuing to inspire artists of all disciplines. Discover a unique selection with Artsper, featuring paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture that draw from her inspiring talent. Look out for works by Wabé, Jacky Coville, among others!