During the 1980s and 1990s, Niki de Saint-Phalle expanded her work and turned her attention to furniture design.Her chairs, tables and mirrors, created in limited editions, brought art into everyone's lives and broke down the boundaries between art, life and function. In California, Niki de Saint Phalle also experimented for the first time with wood for her sculptures, rather than polyurethane resin.

Certain motifs recur throughout her work. The snake is one of them, and it even occupies a very special place. ‘For me, they represented life itself, an indomitable primitive force. By making snakes myself, I was able to transform the fear they inspired in me into joy. Through my art, I learned to tame and domesticate these creatures that terrified me,’ she said. Through her work, she managed to exorcise the demons that haunted her life. Originally evil, embodying sin, the snake is also a symbol of power. Niki de Saint Phalle transformed the monster into a colourful and joyful creature, watching over its owner.

‘For me, they represented life itself, an indomitable primitive force. By making snakes myself, I was able to transform the fear they inspired in me into joy. For my art, I learned to tame and befriend these creatures that terrified me.’ - Niki de Saint Phalle