Traces: An Autobiography Remembering 1930-1949

by Niki de Saint Phalle

Book by Phalle, Niki De Saint

176 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

Niki de Saint Phalle was an artist whose career spanned five decades. De Saint Phalle was largely recognised by her naively decorated sculptures. Her mythology, feminist ideology, creative energy and personal anxieties were poured into her work, making for rich and magical creations.

Reviews

[Nathalie]

"Ever since I was twenty I have tried all kinds of psychotherapies. I was longing for an inner unity that I only found while working. I wanted to forgive my father for trying to make me his mistress when I was eleven. I found only rage and passionate hate in my heart.

"Writing «Traces» and remembering helped me change my inner landscape and realize that my father was a very complex person and that in many ways I resembled him. His provocative humor, his love of risks, his passion for work and his progressive views are also mine.

"Writing has enabled me to open my inner eyes, take a distance, forgive and move on."
Niki de Saint Phalle

[Anouk Vernus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Elle était amoureuse de son cousin ????

Outre le fait que sa vie soit cataclysmiquement triste cette autobiographie est vraiment marquante de part le relativisme et la résilience de Niki de St Phalle. Elle ne fait que sous entendre son traumatisme et elle l’encadre de en souvenirs bien plus concrets pour se détacher du trauma. Elle dit s’être beaucoup reposé sur des échanges avec ses proches qui avaient partagé son enfance. Elle s’est réappropriée sa vie à partir de l’art, je trouve son message merveilleux. En plus de ça son écriture est à son image puisqu’elle a encadré son récit de poèmes, de croquis et de photos. Les passages écrits à la main apporte une dimension giga personnelle. Brefff lire des autobiographie d’artiste c’est TRÈS inspirant je recommande l’expérience.👐🏻

[Penny Preovolos · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved it, lots of interesting thoughts and opinions, maybe the poetry isn’t exactly my style but it seeped with character and play

[Diane · Rating 4 out of 5]

Niki de Saint Phalle raconte la première partie de sa vie jusqu’à son mariage avec Harry Mathews.

[Patricia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting memoir about a intense , complex and brilliant woman. A beautiful book too.