Niki de Saint Phalle

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Niki de Saint Phalle was a leading contemporary artist of the late 20th century, known for her sculptures and paintings with vivid colors and bold forms. She is widely recognized for her "Nanas" series, which feature female figures, and gained international acclaim for her free and vibrant works. https://adekat-gallery.com/collections/niki-de-saint-phalle

Born in 1930 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France, she grew up in the US and France. In her youth, she worked as a model. In the 1950s, she began painting as a self-taught artist, embarking on her artistic career.

In the early 1960s, she gained attention for her "shooting paintings," which involved shooting bags of paint to complete her works. Around this time, she joined the **Nouveau Réalisme** group, advocated by art critic Pierre Restany, and became an important artist in the new wave of contemporary art.

Later, she created the "Nanas" series of sculptures featuring women with rich curves, gaining global popularity for their bright, powerful colors and vibrant forms.

She also married Swiss artist Jean Tinguely and collaborated with him. Together, they created large-scale sculptures and public art throughout Europe.

From the 1970s onward, she dedicated herself to constructing the massive sculpture garden, "Giardino dei Tarocchi (Tarot Garden)," in Tuscany, Italy, completing it over approximately 20 years.

She passed away in California, USA, in 2002.
Niki de Saint Phalle is highly regarded as a significant artist in contemporary art for her unique works that symbolize female power and freedom.