Niki de Saint Phalle, Les Baigneurs-Bathing Couple, 1983, Copyright 2005 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION, All rights reserved.

The Extraordinary Sculptures of Niki de Saint Phalle

April 29 - October 31, 2006
Atlanta Botanical Garden, Atlanta, Georgia 

Niki de Saint Phalle was born in 1930 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France and raised in New York City.  Saint Phalle was a self-taught artist.

A founding member and only female involved in the Noveau Realisme movement, Saint Phalle met with prominent avant-garde artists like Christo, Yves Klein and Arman while she was in Paris.

Developing crippling rheumatoid arthritis later in life that made it very hard for her to use her hands and even walk, she never stopped working day in and day out while in the midst of a project. Her art was her life, and she was determined to live it. In the early 1990's Saint Phalle settled in southern California, and in 2000 she was awarded the acclaimed 12th Premium Imperial Prize in the sculpture category, considered the Nobel Prize equivalent to those in the art world. She remained in California until her death in 2002.

Niki de Saint Phalle Abre Serpents, 1987
2005 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION
All rights reserved
Photo Credit: Copyright Silvina Rostan

Niki de Saint Phalle, Bull Totem_, 2000
Copyright 2005 NIKI CHARITABLE ART FOUNDATION
All rights reserved
Photo credit: Copyright Tim Herr

Opening April 29 2006, Niki in the Garden, presented by Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., will be the world's largest exhibition of internationally renowned artist Niki de Saint Phalle's outdoor sculptures ever presented. On the scale of Chihuly in the Garden in 2004, this spectacular exhibition features Saint Phalle's imaginative, monumental artwork beautifully displayed throughout the Garden for six months.

The magical and joyful works include enormous animals, mythical figures, totems, sports heroes and most famously her Nanas -- oversized, often dancing, powerful women celebrating life. These sculptures are brilliantly embellished with mirrors, glass, semi-precious stones and ceramic mosaics that come to life in all kinds of light. Massive in scale, some pieces reach as high as 18 feet and span up to 25 feet long. Many invite sitting, climbing or crawling through secret passages.

The exhibition will be on view during evening hours with Niki Nights every Thursday starting in May. Guests will be invited to enjoy the sculptures specially lit for dramatic effect at night.  Food and refreshments will also be available for purchase during Niki Nights.

Open Tuesday - Sunday
April - October: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.*

Closed Mondays except Monday holidays such as Labor Day and Memorial Day.

Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day.

*Beginning May 4, the Garden will have extend hours until 9 p.m. every Thursday for Niki Nights.

Receive $2 off admission every Tuesday during regular hours.

Extended hours until 9 p.m. every Thursday, May - October.

DIRECTIONS TO THE ATLANTA BOTANICAL GARDEN

From I-85/I-75
Exit onto 14th Street and go east. 14th Street dead-ends into Piedmont Avenue. Turn left. The Atlanta Botanical Garden's entrance is on the right at the first traffic light, which is between 14th Street and Monroe Drive. The Atlanta Botanical Garden is adjacent to Piedmont Park on Piedmont Avenue.

MARTA
Take the MARTA train to the Arts Center Station and transfer to the #36 North Decatur bus. On Sunday, take the #27 Monroe/Lindbergh bus.

Parking
There is limited parking available at the Garden.