Niki in the Garden: Atlanta Botanical Garden Exhibition

In a year of anniversaries, what better way to celebrate the Botanical Garden’s 50th than an encore exhibition of artist Niki de Saint Phalle’s monumental sculptures that debuted at the Garden 20 years ago this spring.

The French sculptor, who died in 2002, is known as one of the first female sculptors of massive works, particularly her “Nanas” – light-hearted, whimsical and colorful large-scale sculptures of females, animals and monsters.

This year’s exhibition will feature 40 works in what’s believed to be the largest showing of the artist’s art ever presented in North America. Most are on loan from the Niki Charitable Art Foundation, and others from private collections.

“Those who saw the 2006 exhibit are going to relish experiencing these fun, joyful sculptures again, and those who didn’t are in for a major treat!” said Garden President & CEO Mary Pat Matheson.

The often-playful, extremely colorful sculptures range from Grand Step Totem, weighing in at 2,000 pounds, and the Large Yelling Man, towering as 16.5 feet, to small wall hangings of reliefs measuring 2 feet square.

The most iconic of the pieces – all displayed throughout the Garden as well as Conservatory, Orchid Center and Gardenhouse Gallery – will be Les Trois Grâces Fontaine frolicking in the Skyline Garden pond.

In addition, an interpretive exhibit on the artist and her work will be on display near the entrance to the Orchid Display House.