Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, Henry Heerup studied at the Royal Danish Academy of Fine Arts. He became a central figure in the Danish art scene, eventually gaining international recognition as a member of the CoBrA movement, which emphasized spontaneity and folk-art influences.

Heerup worked across a wide range of media, including lithography, linoleum cuts, and stone carving. He is particularly noted for his stenskulpturer (stone sculptures) and his inventive use of discarded materials, which he assembled into whimsical, often anthropomorphic objects.

His legacy remains firmly established within Scandinavian modernism, with his works held in major Danish institutions. His contributions to 20th-century expressionism continue to be studied for their integration of primitive aesthetics and everyday found materials.