Niki de Saint Phalle (Taschen Basic art Series) - Janis Mink

A Revolutionary Voice in 20th-Century Art

Niki de Saint Phalle by Janis Mink, part of the Taschen Basic Art Series, offers a clear and insightful introduction to one of the most radical and influential artists of the 20th century. Working in Paris during the early 1960s, Saint Phalle emerged as a key figure of Nouveau Réalisme, alongside artists such as Yves Klein, Arman, and Jean Tinguely.

Art Made from Life Itself

Rejecting traditional artistic materials, Saint Phalle incorporated everyday objects, toys, machine parts, and found materials into her assemblages. Her famous Tirs (shooting paintings) transformed art into performance, as plaster reliefs filled with paint were shot with a rifle, allowing destruction, chance, and violence to become part of the creative act.

The Female Form Reimagined

Saint Phalle’s work boldly explored femininity, power, birth, and death. Her iconic Nana sculptures, inspired by real women from her life, celebrate the female body in exaggerated, joyful, and confrontational forms. Monumental projects such as Hon – en katedral and the Tarot Garden further established her as an artist who merged sculpture, architecture, mythology, and autobiography.

Beyond Sculpture: Film, Books, and Environments

This volume also highlights her multidisciplinary practice, including experimental films, political artist’s books, and immersive environments. Saint Phalle’s work consistently challenged social norms, gender roles, and artistic conventions.

Main Themes of the Book

• Nouveau Réalisme and post-war European art
• Feminist art and the female body
• Performance, destruction, and chance
• Sculpture as environment and experience
• Art as political and personal expression

Reasons to Choose This book by Janis Mink

• Part of the respected Taschen Basic Art Series
• Written by art historian Janis Mink
• Clear structure ideal for students and art lovers
• Rich visual documentation of key works
• Excellent introduction to modern and contemporary art

Niki de Saint Phalle is an essential guide to an artist who reshaped the boundaries of sculpture, performance, and feminist expression. Compact yet authoritative, this Taschen edition provides a powerful overview of her radical vision and lasting impact on modern art, making it an ideal starting point for readers interested in 20th-century artistic innovation.