Nelson-Atkins Museum to Host U.S. Retrospective of Artist Niki de Saint Phalle: A Celebration of Rebellion and Joy

The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art in Kansas City will host a U.S. retrospective of French American artist Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002). The exhibition, 'Niki de Saint Phalle: Rebellion and Joy,' will run from April 27, 2024, to July 21, 2024. It will showcase Saint Phalle’s two- and three-dimensional works, many of which are making their U.S. debut.

Julián Zugazagoitia, Director & CEO of the Nelson-Atkins, described Saint Phalle as a significant creative figure of the late twentieth century. The exhibition will cover her career, highlighting her transition from societal critique to communal celebration. Saint Phalle’s work is recognized for its bold forms, bright colors, and whimsical imagery, addressing social issues such as feminism, racism, and HIV/AIDS stigma.

The exhibition is co-curated by William Keyse Rudolph, Deputy Director, Curatorial Affairs and Chief Curator and Head, Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts, along with Helene Guenin, Director of MAMAC, and Olivier Bergesi, Project Manager, MAMAC. It will follow the timeline of Saint Phalle’s career, from her assemblages to works addressing social justice issues. Saint Phalle, a self-taught artist, gained recognition in the 1960s for her unique female forms called “Nanas”, which celebrate womanhood.

Saint Phalle also created public art environments to make art more accessible, funding these projects through creating replicas and licensed objects. She used her art to address contemporary issues, including social justice and the emerging AIDS epidemic.

The exhibition will feature objects from the Musée d’Art Moderne et de Contemporain (MAMAC) in Nice, France, and the Niki Charitable Art Foundation. It will display nearly 100 paintings, sculptures, prints, and films. The exhibition will also host a program called 'Artists at Play' on May 17, where participants can explore Saint Phalle’s creative vision and design a playful work of art. The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is known nationally and internationally as a leading art museum, offering free admission to all visitors.

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