Born in Châtillon-sur-Seine, France, Bertrand Lavier initially trained in horticulture at the École Nationale Supérieure d'Horticulture in Versailles before transitioning to a career in the visual arts. His practice emerged from the legacy of Marcel Duchamp and the Nouveau réalisme movement, positioning him as a key figure in the post-readymade era.

Lavier is best recognized for his signature technique of applying heavy, colorful acrylic paint to common household objects—such as refrigerators, pianos, and fire extinguishers—effectively transforming utilitarian items into painterly sculptures. By obscuring the identity of the object through gestural abstraction, he explores the intersection of representation and reality.

His work has been the subject of numerous international exhibitions and retrospectives, cementing his status as a significant voice in contemporary conceptual art. His approach continues to influence discussions regarding the nature of the art object and the role of the artist in the selection and modification of pre-existing forms.