The uncompleted Tarot Garden in Italy, work of the sculptor Niki de Saint Phalle has great charm and idiosyncrasy. Inspired by Gaudi’s Parc Guell in Barelona, Niki set out to create a unique world based on the Tarot. She stamped her own personality on using mosaics in sculpture. This monograph was planned by the artist before her untimely death. The photographs were chosen by her and it gives an insight into her world, her imagination and her creative processes. I find Niki one of the most inspiring of all artists whatever she turned her hand to, and this garden stands as an ever-lasting monument to her work. The book does her justice – a beautiful large format tome that is more than just a coffee table book. The photography is very good with brilliant colour reproduction. The accompanying text is not over-long but apt and to the point. A masterpiece on a woman who created so many masterpieces.

Niki de Saint Phalle Monograph, hardback published by Benteli Verlag. ISBN 978-3716512583, price 76.68 available from www.benteli.ch

This is an immense volume cataloguing the works of the Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle. It includes her paintings, tirs and assemblages from 1949-2000. It is written in French, German and English. It is interesting to see the progression of her art from the early paintings, through the shoo

ting paintings, which forma  large section of the book and collages to beginning of Nana power and some of the sculptures. On balance I believe there is more precedence given to paintings than sculpture in this book, I would have preferred it the other way around. The text is interesting but not ultimately engaging. It talks of the influences and reasons, both personal and political as to why she did what she did. The biography is very well done. This is clearly a good homage to Niki, including so much of her work up to 2000. If you are a huge fan, this is a book you will enjoy. If you only like the sculptures, then wait for a book on that subject alone.