Armand PierreFernandez

Biography

Arman( 1928, Nice, France-,2005 New York City, USA.) originally named Armand Pierre Fernandez. He became one of the most influential artists of the 20th century, particularly known for his innovative work in sculpture and painting. Growing up in an artistic environment, his father, Antonio Fernandez, was an antiques dealer and amateur artist, which fostered Arman’s early exposure to art. He initially studied philosophy and mathematics before pursuing formal art education at the École Nationale des Arts Décoratifs in Nice and later at the École du Louvre in Paris, where he focused on archaeology and Asian art. In 1947, Arman met Yves Klein and Claude Pascal in judo classes in Nice, forming friendships that would significantly influence his later artistic development. In 1958, a typographical mistake led him to adopt the name "Arman," dropping the ‘d’ from his original surname. Arman was one of the founding members of the Nouveau Réalisme movement in 1960, which aimed to challenge traditional definitions of art by incorporating elements from mass culture and everyday objects. His work often involved the accumulation, destruction, or transformation of ordinary items, questioning the relationship between art and consumerism. Over the course of his career, Arman received numerous awards, including a Guggenheim Fellowship in 1978. His works are featured in major art institutions around the world, such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Tate Gallery in London, and the Centre Pompidou in Paris. Arman’s bold approach to art made a lasting impact, influencing movements such as Pop Art and inspiring many contemporary artists. His legacy continues to resonate in the world of art, marked by his groundbreaking exploration of everyday objects and their artistic potential.

Artworks (1)