THE TRAVELLING COMPANION (1977) dir. NIKI DE SAINT PHALLE

Described by the New York Times as at once avantgarde and populist, Saint Phalle was selftaught and fiercely experimental across paintings, sculptures, public works, and more. Her playful shapes and lively color palettes were influenced by Dada and Antoni Gaudí, but she blended her inspirations into a singular style, politically engaged but not esoteric. This is perhaps best exemplified by her ongoing series of Nanas, boldly scaled tributes to everyday women as joyful as Matisse figures. Saint Phalles talents translate seamlessly into the psychedelic sets of The Travelling Companion, a Hans Christian Andersen adaptation she scripted with Constantin Mulgrave. I used to think there was a need to provoke, to attack religion and the generals. And then I understood that there is nothing more shocking than DE SAINT PHALLE