Niki and Jean meet in the Impasse Ronsin studios in Paris in front of a just finished work. Niki advises Jean, who is taken aback, to add a few feathers. Their very first collaboration took place when they were not yet a couple. In 1957, Niki asked Jean to come and help her with the construction of a decor for her children's fireplace. This discreet, daily collaboration is the image of the relationship that would unite them. This discreet, daily collaboration is a reflection of the relationship between them, for in the work of one of them there is sometimes an idea or the friendly intervention of the other. Behind Niki's great works (The Golem, The Garden of Tarots) is often the technical know-how of Jean and his collaborators. In 1989, for an exhibition in Paris, the labels described Niki's works as "stabilised by Jean Tinguely": the artist's sculptures were again mounted on Jean's machine bases. Niki's importance in Jean's work is equal. It was she who introduced him to Facteur Cheval's Palais idéal and inspired him to create the Cyclop in Milly-la-Forêt. She co-financed the purchase of the land and relaunched the project when Jean no longer believed in it. After Jean's death, Niki spared no effort to ensure the continuity of his work and to create the Museum Jean Tinguely in Basel. Her donations to the city of Fribourg also led to the opening of the Espace Jean Tinguely - Niki de Saint Phalle.

©Niki De St Phalle - Jean Tinguely - ADAGP 2023

Behind Niki's great works (The Golem, The Garden of Tarots) is often the technical know-how of Jean and his collaborators. In 1989, for an exhibition in Paris, the labels described Niki's works as "stabilised by Jean Tinguely": the artist's sculptures were again mounted on Jean's machine bases. Niki's importance in Jean's work is equal. It was she who introduced him to Facteur Cheval's Palais idéal and inspired him to create the Cyclop in Milly-la-Forêt. She co-financed the purchase of the land and relaunched the project when Jean no longer believed in it. After Jean's death, Niki spared no effort to ensure the continuity of his work and to create the Museum Jean Tinguely in Basel. Her donations to the city of Fribourg also led to the opening of the Espace Jean Tinguely - Niki de Saint Phalle.