The Garden of Tarot was created by the French artist, Niki de Saint Phalle in the 1980’s. Inspired by Gaudi’s Park Guell in Barcelona, Saint Phalle built a park with 22 sculptures who represent the 22 cards of the tarot’s “Major Arcana” card deck. In essence, the Major Arcana cards evoke the joys and sorrows that we experience in our lifetimes.
The figures can be walked through and played with, it’s certainly an interactive park. Opening in 1998, this park took roughly 20 years to complete and was a substantial investment. It is a magical place indeed, and one where you can surely entertain yourself for hours. The imagination it took to create this unique spot is astounding… thank you Niki!
A calm and pensive Empress contemplating the horizon was the first figure built at the park. Saint Phalle actually lived inside “her” while working on the park. Imagine waking up to an interior covered with mirrored shards of tile. The bright colors and mirrored mosaics are representative of all 22 sculptures within the park.
Image courtesy of: Philipcarr-Gomm
A view of several sculptures in the park’s natural surroundings.
Image courtesy of: Your Tuscany Blog
Niki de Saint Phalle was a notable artist in the 1960’s. In addition to being a painter and sculptor; she was also a model and social activist .
Image courtesy of: French Antiques Blog