A masterpiece of Niki de Saint Phalle, which belonged to the collector Roger Nellens, at auction at Artcurial

At Roger Nellens’ home, painter, collector, art sponsor, can be seen the spectacular “Maison Dragon,” executed by Niki de Saint Phalle between 1973 and 1975. Thirty-three metres high and classed as a historical monument by the town of Knokke in Belgium, the "Maison Dragon" was a present from the artist to Xavier, Roger and Fabienne Nellens’ son, and intended for use as a playhouse by the child. The monumentality of the sculpture reveals the nature of the bond between the artist and the collector. Effectively, Roger Nellens met Niki de Saint Phalle at the “Monumenta” in Kassel in 1972 where she presented an igloo shaped sculpture that visitors could go inside and which inspired his commission of the “Maison Dragon.” The playhouse harboured many stories, as it would then go on to become an equipped, inhabitable sculpture that would be a home to Keith Haring when he came to stay in Knokke.

For a time, Roger Nellens was in charge of Niki de Saint Phalle’s relationships with her galleries, whilst she executed sculptures in his winter garden. Roger, Niki and Jean Tinguely – Niki’s husband – shared unique moments of intimacy, and the collector tasted the bohemian life that the artists lived in their little Parisian studio. Niki de Saint Phalle’s colours fascinated Roger Nellens who acquired several of her works, including the “Patineuse,” presented here, that he spotted at a Parisian collector’s and bought from the latter’s widow a few years later. The “Patineuse,” made circa 1967, is notable for its black colour, its reduced palette and it’s coarse features like the Nanas created as of the end of 1964 and showing the commitment of Niki de Saint Phalle, an American having fled McCarthyism and racism, to the American civil rights movement.

Interview of collector Roger Nellens

by Aude de Vaucresson (Artcurial Belgium) 25 April 2018

Aude de Vaucresson: Why did you allow Niki de Saint Phalle to have such an important place in your life?

Roger Nellens: I met her at Documenta in Kassel. My father was still alive and Doctor Baulieu

had introduced me to Niki. I loved what I saw and thought that what she did would be great for

my garden in Knokke. I never imagined that this project would take so long or that it would take

on such scope. Her work was like madness embodied; but it also showed humour, freedom, and independence.

AdV: Why this black "Nana"?

RN: I wanted a work in my garden that was older than the dragon. I liked its coarse features.

I wanted colours in movement in my home. I liked the black "nanas" most of all. I found them very

beautiful, so beautiful with all their colours.

Adv: What did Niki de Saint Phalle mean to you?

RN: You could say that Niki was one of the most important women in my life. Jean Tinguely,

I had him under my skin. He was the most important man in my life. The relationship between

us three was my home, a real alliance. Niki and Jean brought rhythm into my life; they inhabited

my youth, inspired my life as an artist.

It was a bohemian’s life…

Informations

Public exhibition in Paris:

1 June 11am – 7pm

2 June 11am – 6pm

3 June 2pm – 6pm

4 June 10am – 2pm

Auction in Paris:

4 June 8pm

View catalogue

Contact
Carine Decroi