Niki de Saint Phalle and Jean Tinguely

Myths & Machines

17 May 2025 – 1 February 2026

Opening Reception: Saturday 17 May, 12 – 5 pm

‘We couldn’t sit down together without creating something new, conjuring up dreams.’—Niki de Saint Phalle, ‘A little of my story with you Jean’ (1996)

Niki de Saint Phalle (1930 – 2002) and Jean Tinguely (1925 – 1991) are reunited in a major site-wide takeover at Hauser & Wirth Somerset, in collaboration with the Niki Charitable Art Foundation. The first exhibition dedicated to both artists in the UK will illustrate Saint Phalle and Tinguely’s visionary artistic output and enduring creative collaboration over three decades.

Two emblematic figures of contemporary art, Saint Phalle and Tinguely defied conventional artmaking and were fuelled with rebellion, in both life and art. The exhibition will feature unseen works on paper and art decor by Saint Phalle, alongside shooting paintings and monumental open-air sculptures. Iconic kinetic machines by Tinguely range from the 1950s to the final year of his life, in addition to multifaceted collaborative works made by the duo throughout the 1980s.

Tinguely and Saint Phalle met and started working together in Paris, France in the late 1950s and were married in 1971. The pair forged an extraordinary personal and artistic relationship that continued to renew itself across multiple projects until Tinguely’s death in 1991; when Saint Phalle took over stewardship of his works until she died a decade later.

The exhibition takes place as part of Jean Tinguely’s centenary celebrations. To mark this occasion, his innovative and playful oeuvre will be honored internationally with a range of exhibitions and events. For further information please visit: https://www.tinguely100.com/.

Hauser & Wirth Somerset’s 2025 Education Lab will take its starting point from Niki de Saint Phalle’s early experiences of personal trauma and embody her philosophy that creativity can serve as both a mental antidote and a therapeutic outlet. Co-produced in collaboration with the East Somerset Federation consisting of Bruton Primary School, Ditcheat Primary School and Upton Noble C of E Primary School, the Education Lab will provide an interactive space realized by young people as an exploration of their emotions, experiences and stories. Participants will be invited to reflect on Saint Phalle’s belief in art as a form of healing, self-reclamation, empowerment and joy.