Who is not familiar with Nana, the world-famous, colorful women figures who happily go about dancing and jumping as pure expressions of energy. Nana is timeless. But who or what does Nana represent, really? It is Niki De Saint Phalle’s personal version of Eve? Or maybe of Venus? Or is it actually a personal interpretation of all women in the world, past and present? With Nana, Niki De Saint Phalle has, in any case, created an iconic image of women.

Museum Beelden aan Zee has been showing the Nanas in all their diversity since 1965. From the early textile-covered figures of papier maché to the sometimes huge polyester sculptures from the later years. Nanas, in short, come in all shapes, colors, sizes and materials.