Niki de Saint Phalle avec ses sculptures gonflables Nanas sur la plage. Parution dans Vogue, 15 avril 1968. Photographie par Bert Stern @ 2023 Condé Nast
MAMAC on the move
She blew up the art world.
Only at the Nelson-Atkins !
One of the most distinctive artists of the second half of the twentieth century, Niki de Saint Phalle (French/American, 1930-2002) burst upon the international art world in the 1960’s. Although a self-taught artist, she was quickly recognized as an important participant in cutting-edge contemporary art both in Europe and America. Niki de Saint Phalle used art as a rebellion against a patriarchal society and childhood trauma. She created a signature language of iconic forms such as her “Nanas” — unapologetic images of empowered womanhood — that testified to her belief that art could change the world. With her performances, bold sculptures, and immersive public art and playgrounds, she engaged with important deeper social issues.
First show case in US of one of the greatest collections of Saint Phalle, held by the Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (MAMAC) in Nice, France, enriched by loans for the Niki Charitable art Foundation, Santee, California.
Presented exclusively in the US at the Nelson-Atkins from April 27–July 21, 2024.
The works on view explore Saint Phalle’s universe, from her early, explosive “Shooting” paintings, to her exuberant Nanas, fantastical sculptures of her Tarot Garden, and her pioneering efforts to combat racism, gender inequality, and HIV/AIDS stigma.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City (Missouri) is recognized nationally and internationally as one of America’s finest art museums. The museum opens its doors free of charge to people of all backgrounds. The Nelson-Atkins serves the community by providing access to its renowned collection of more than 42,000 art objects and is best known for its Asian art, European and American paintings, photography, modern sculpture, and Native American and Egyptian galleries. Housing a major art research library and the Ford Learning Center, the museum is a key educational resource for the region.
Organized by the Nelson Atkins Museum of art,Kansas city, USA, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Nice, France, in collaboration with Manifesto Expo.
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