Praying Mantis Black and White Print, 1980

Arman (born Armand Pierre Fernandez, 1928–2005) was a prominent French-American artist renowned for his pioneering role in Nouveau Réalisme, a movement that emerged in France in the early 1960s. Best known for his “accumulations” and “poubelles,” Arman transformed everyday objects—ranging from musical instruments to watches and tools—into sculptural assemblages, often encased in resin or displayed in vitrines. His work explored themes of consumption, mass production, and the ephemeral nature of modern life, employing media such as painting, sculpture, and installation.

Arman’s art has been widely exhibited in major institutions worldwide, including solo exhibitions at the Centre Pompidou in Paris, the Museum of Modern Art in New York, and the Tate Gallery in London. His pieces are held in the permanent collections of these and other leading museums, reflecting his international acclaim and influence. Arman also participated in significant group exhibitions, such as Documenta in Kassel and the Venice Biennale, further cementing his status in postwar art history.

At auction, Arman’s works have achieved notable results at major houses including Christie’s, Sotheby’s, and Bonhams. His large-scale accumulations and signature resin pieces have consistently attracted strong interest, with several works surpassing the million-dollar mark. Born in Nice, France, and later naturalized as an American citizen, Arman’s prolific career spanned continents and decades, leaving a lasting impact on contemporary art before his death in New York in 2005.