Niki de Saint Phalle

I'm attracted to Niki de Saint Phalle's art because of their almost childlike qualities. Her sculptures are not serious and anatomically correct as one may think of as a traditional sculpture, but they are playful in their nature and utilize different materials and bright colors, in a easy as if each sculpture has arisen out of a children's storybook or folktale.  Die Waldaff (1962), which we looked at in class is a great example of this. The woman's exaggerated features and bright clothes could be analyzed on an in depth level by art critics, but it has appeal to a young child as well. One thing I fell upon by Niki de Saint Phalle, is The Golem, a slide in Jerusalem where the slides are tongues of a monster. It is located in a historic park and played on daily by young children. It is not very often that an artist can connect to viewers both young and old. I believe that the element of play that Saint Phalle incorporates into her work is an essential aspect to this and likely a large reason for her success. 

http://www.nikidesaintphalle.com/
http://www.fembio.org/english/biography.php/woman/biography/niki-de-saint-phalle/
http://artistsbeitmidrash.wordpress.com/2011/06/22/golem-sculpture-by-niki-de-saint-phalle/