Niki de Saint Phalle at the Mons Fine Arts Museum

Mons is the cultural capital and administrative centre of Hainaut province in Belgium, a status that has earned it the right to host a major retrospective for the French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. This exhibition shows how the artist’s boundless imagination and unique vision has garnered international recognition—and why she is known as one of the most iconic artists of the 20th century.

The Mons Fine Arts Museum hosts Niki de Saint Phalle

The exhibition « Ici, tout est possible » (Here, anything is possible) showcases the one-of-a-kind artist’s bold, inventive, and provocative approach to her flamboyant pieces throughout her 50-year career. Through paintings, monumental sculptures, fountains, children’s playgrounds, performances, architectural works, plays, and film, Niki de Saint Phalle has succeeded in bringing art outside the walls of a museum to build ties with the community.

Created in the 1970s, Dragon de Knokke is now a playhouse. © DR

The gigantic Nana Maison can be found in the middle of the museum’s courtyard. © DR

New attractions outside of the museum

At the Fine Arts Museum, 140 works feature the artist’s iconic « Nanas », which serve as an ode to femininity from the past, today, and in the future. These joyful, colourful, and audacious figures have become her calling card. Outside of the museum, three greenspaces are home to the artist’s « Totems », which allow visitors to admire her larger-than-life art. With these pieces in the backdrop, the city of Mons is more beautiful than ever.

The voluptuous Nanas by Niki de Saint Phalle grace the garden with their presence. © DR