I thought I had done Italy enough to feel like, in my travels, I could venture on to new destinations…wrong. I am obsessed with Il Giardino dei Tarocchi and it’s creator Niki de Saint Phalle.
Located in Tuscany, Italy, it is an overwhelming sculpture garden created by a fascinating woman. It is near impossible to not feel a little dizzy with stimulation from this garden.
1. Untitled, 2. _MG_0553, 3. _MG_0495, 4. DSCN0678
I know I don’t need to, but I can’t decide which photos to share so I am going overboard. I am awe inspired. Can you imagine the time it must have taken to create this masterpiece? Ceramics in the garden gone overboard.
1. DSCN0672, 2. Then comes the Sun…again, 3. The Princess and The Dragon, 4. Devil in disguise… 🙂, 5. Untitled, 6. Tarot Garden
At the Website, you can read about the creator Niki Matthews/ Niki de Saint Phalle. She was a stunning woman, the likes of whom I admire intensely. She was clearly able and willing to create an artists life full of amazing adventures, beautiful things, and fascinating friends. I wonder if there is a biography of her, I am wanting more.
1. Tarot-Garden of Niki de Saint Phalle, 2. Tarot-Garden of Niki de Saint Phalle, 3. Tarot-Garden of Niki de Saint Phalle , 4. XI – La Force
1. DSCN0672, 2. Tarot Garden / Niki de saint Phalle, 3. Untitled, 4. The Moon
Once again , a great informational blog post about art in the garden.
Though I’m not crazy over all of the art work of Niki de Saint Phalle, I am in awe of her verve and passion for her art.
I’d love to visit this garden and if you hear of a book written about her life and garden I would enjoy the opportunity to read it.
It really looks like you found fun and inspiration at the Tarot Garden. If you are interested, there are 2 autobiographies out written by Niki:
1. Traces. Remembering 1930-1949. ISBN-10: 2940033439
2. Harry and Me. 1950-1960 The Family Years. ISBN-10: 371651442X
thanks Jana– I will look into both of them. Have you been to this garden?
That’s amazing! It must have taken forever to put that together!
I’ve been a huge fan of Nike de Saint Phalle for years! And like you I’m inspired. As a mosaic artist myself, I am blown away by the crazy surfaces and color she creates with all manner of bits and pieces. I dream of visiting this garden and a whole list of other wonderful mosaic sites in Europe. Thanks for featuring it!
Absolutely stunning! One more reason I want to get to Italy:) I think I’ll look into those books to hold me over