Born Armand Fernandez in Nice, France, Arman transitioned from traditional painting to a practice centered on the physical object. He gained prominence as a key figure in the Nouveau Réalisme movement, moving away from the traces left by objects to utilizing the objects themselves as the primary medium of his work.

His signature aesthetic involved the systematic collection and display of identical items—ranging from clocks and musical instruments to household refuse—often encased in plexiglass or arranged in dense, repetitive configurations. This approach challenged conventional notions of sculpture and the status of the manufactured object within fine art.

Arman remains a staple of the secondary market, with his works frequently appearing in major European auction houses. Recent sales, including those held at Artcurial in Paris, continue to highlight his enduring presence in the post-war and contemporary art landscape.