Stuart Collection: Niki de Saint Phalle - Sun God

A beautiful and celebratory book on the works of Niki de Saint Phalle, this expanded and updated edition is made distinctly personal by the artist's own handwritten comments and whimsical sketches. When Niki de Saint Phalle died, the world lost not only an artist of enormous passion, but also a remarkably creative woman whose work and life were inextricably linked. Throughout her forty-year career Saint Phalle explored female roles in society and myth, basing many of her disquieting and joyfuldepictions on personal experience. The full range of Saint Phalle's oeuvre is paid glorious tribute in this retrospective volume, which also features new images and an extended biography. Chronologically arranged, this updated book takes readers from the visceral and controversial "shooting paintings" and her playfully voluptuous ì"nanas" to the impressive installations and wonderfully elaborate sculpture gardens such as the Tarot Garden in Tuscany, the Sun God in San Diego and the Stravinsky Fountain in Paris. In addition to nearly a hundred color and black and white photographs of Saint Phalle's work, the artist's own comments and sketches are interspersed throughout the book, providing an integral framework for understanding and appreciating her unusual talent.

The Nanas created by French sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle (1930-2002) are world famous. These colorful, exuberantly happy female figures who go through life dancing, leaping and buzzing with energy have become an iconic image of woman. With controversial pieces like her 'shooting pictures', Niki de Saint Phalle also played a leading role in the European 'Nouveaux Réalisme' movement, and her monumental sculptures adorn public spaces in many towns and cities. Her rotund Nanas with their self-confident, independent attitude remain as relevant today as they were when they were first created.

Niki de Saint Phalle, one of the 12 artists featured in UCSD's Stuart Collection is shown giving a slide illustrated lecture about developments in her life and art. Works discussed include the Sun God.

Maquette model depicting the larger installation artwork of the "Sun God" by sculptor Niki de Saint-Phalle, made of plaster and paint.

Festival poster design, with a hand-painted image of the artist's sculpture, "Sun God", pasted to a yellow background, above her signature and penciled caption, "Sun God festival / May 20, 1994 - 11 a.m. to 4 p. m. / Sun God Lawn" below it.