The “Crystal-Bearing Nana” by Niki de Saint Phalle embodies a self-confident, happy woman who raises her arm in a defiant gesture. A brightly shimmering, uncut crystal appears to be growing out of her hand. Originally, the object was a vase before the crystal was situated on top of it. It is not a coincidence that the shape of the Nana and her posture are reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty, as the self-confident and liberated woman is at the center of Niki de Saint Phalle’s work. She is the model of all of the richly colored female figures, known as “Nanas”, of the famous French artist, who attempted to liberate herself through her work from the trauma of the abuse she experienced from her father. Like Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle was a member of the Nouveau Réalisme movement.
Niki de Saint Phalle was born in 1930 in Neuilly-sur-Seine, France. She grew up in the USA and became a star of the Nouveau Réalisme movement at the side of Jean Tinguely. With her often erotically charged motifs, Niki de Saint Phalle is considered a pioneer of feminist art of the 20th century. Today, her once scandalous “Nanas”, voluptuous, brightly colorful female figures, are interpreted as icons of a sensual, self-confident femininity. Niki de Saint Phalle died in 2002 in San Diego.
