NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE

(1930 – 2002)

French-Swiss painter and internationally renowned modernist sculptor, known as an artist primarily for her “Nana” figures | 1930 born in Neuilly-sur-Seine near Paris | 1936-45 attends the “Sacré-Cœur Convent School” in New York; from the age of eleven, she was sexually abused by her father for several years – a shock that led her to art via later therapy | 1965 creates first “Nanas” | 1968 exhibition at the “Museum of Modern Art”, New York | 1996 her donation of works by her husband Jean TINGUELY (1925-1991) made it possible to build the Museum Tinguely in Basel | 2000 honoured by Praemium Imperiale – category “sculpture” – donated by the Japanese imperial house | 2002 died in San Diego / USA