niki in the garden part three

okay, one last look at niki in the garden at the garfield park conservatory in chicago through october 31st. these vivid fiberglass and ceramic tile sculptures by french artist niki de saint phalle are exuberant, playful and absolutely interactive - see for yourself (some local schoolchildren helped me out with this important photo shoot - thanks guys)!

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niki in the garden part two

french artist niki de saint phalle was born in france in 1930. after becoming a fashion model, marrying harry mathews and having two children, niki had a nervous breakdown and spent time as an inpatient in a hospital in nice. it was at this time of crisis that she decided to become an artist. she was heavily influenced by the work of architect antonio gaudi, and spent copious amounts of time throughout her career collaborating with sculptor jean tinguely, the man who would become her second husband. she passed away in 2002, but her amazing artistic legacy lives on in the tarot garden in garaviccio, the niki museum in nasu and exhibitions like this one, currently at the garfield park conservatory through october 31st.

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niki in the garden - part one

i went to see niki in the garden, the fabulous exhibition of large scale fiberglass, stone and ceramic sculptures by french artist niki de saint phalle, a few days ago and took so many photos that i will have to present this in a few parts. this is a special exhibition that is currently at the garfield park conservatory in chicago until october 31st. you will not believe the kaliedoscope of color, enormous sizes and sheer joy that exudes from each and every one of these pieces. i truly hope the photos do them justice!

more to come…

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clare dohna’s spectacular mosaic garden art

okay, so i’m an earth person, and it’s obvious that i have an affinity for clay. i’ll feature some other artists doing cool things in other media this week… but i just had to feature these exquisite mosaic works from washington artist clare dohna!

clare became enamorate of mosaics when a life-size piece she was working on blew up in the kiln. she glued her sculpture back together and afterwards, liked the way it looked.

clare cuts her mosaic tiles by hand, one by one. she then fires them, paints her glazes on, and fires again, cuerda seca style.

the mosaic tiles are set onto a base of concrete or clay, and then grouted and sealed.

of course she does custom work.

a limited selection of garden art is available at dig in vashon.

for more info, photos and to purchase clare’s work, click here.

n.b., she just taught a sold out mosaic class at dig this past weekend — maybe she’ll do another?!

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mosaic glass art by merritt chandler

i am enjoying these mosaic art pieces by tennessee artist merritt chandler. 

she cuts all the tiles and glass herself.

i think mario might be my favorite.

she welcomes custom orders. 

click here for merritt’s website. 

for more info and to purchase, click here.

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