In October 2023, I travelled to Italy, after Rome my major destination was the Tarot Garden, a sculpture park created by the artist Niki de Saint Phalle. It was my second visit and so I had some expectations and wondered if I might be a bit disappointed this time round. Nothing could be further from the truth. I was completely overwhelmed.
It is hard to imagine a place that is filled with twenty-two ceramic sculptures of the tarot cards, some the size of a house, one even with a functioning bathroom. It is built on a hill and each path leads you to yet another magical place. The Empress is giant with huge breasts that look as though they might feed the world.
Inside The Empress are several mirrored rooms, including the bathroom with this giant serpent.
As well as the giant figures and smaller ones there is also extraordinary detail. In the walls of one of the sculptures I noticed these little prehistory goddess figures.
It is simultaneously whimsical and thoughtful.
Of all the sculptures, on both occasions I fell for The Moon with its two dogs howling but set against the trees and a blue sky.
Niki de Saint Phalle began working on this project in 1969 and it was her primary artwork until around 1996. She also has sculptures in other places such as Zurich, Jerusalem and San Diego. Her work is found in many art galleries across Europe and North America.
You can find other photos and commentary online including at the Tarot Garden website here: https://ilgiardinodeitarocchi.it/en/
Copyright on all photos and text, Susan Hawthorne, 2024