Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten

Curator: Sophie Duplaix

The exhibition “Niki de Saint Phalle, Jean Tinguely, Pontus Hulten” immerses visitors in the creative and tumultuous universe of two of the most iconic figures of post-war art. It highlights their extraordinary artistic partnership and the vision of Pontus Hulten, the first director of the Musée national d’art moderne at the Centre Pompidou, who championed their work throughout his career.

Saint Phalle (1930–2002) and Tinguely (1925–1991) formed a legendary couple, bound by a shared belief in creation as an act of rebellion against established norms. Together they developed an art that was free, participatory and revolutionary, blending passion with limitless invention.

The exhibition traces their prolific trajectory through the decisive role of Hulten (1924–2006), who not only organised retrospectives and acquisitions but also gave them carte blanche for ambitious and unconventional projects. Among these were the gigantic “Nana” created for the exhibition “Hon – en Katedral” (1966) at the Moderna Museet in Stockholm, and “Le Crocrodrome de Zig & Puce” (1977) at the Centre Pompidou, both emblematic of their collaborative and experimental spirit.

Drawing on the Centre Pompidou’s rich holdings, complemented by major loans from French and international institutions, the exhibition offers a fresh perspective on their emblematic works. It presents a historical and playful journey where art, love, friendship and engagement intertwine, revealing the alchemy that united two major artists with the visionary support of a pioneering museum director.