Zívr trained as a potter and attended a school of ceramics; clay would be one of his favourite materials. He studied at the Prague School of Applied Arts (1928−1931). Initially influenced by civilism, his oeuvre then entered a cubist phase in the period 1929−1933 and from about 1934 until the first years of the war his works were created in the spirit of Surrealism and reflect his own visions and his discovery of the complex inner nature of shapes. Ladislav Zívr was a member of Group 42 —— the only sculptor —— and he collaborated with the group for almost six years. During World War II he returned to civilist themes —— urban life and human labour. He developed the theme of work after the war also, when he was particularly interested by the relationship of people and machines. From the 60s his work became more abstract in character and started to feature natural elements and references to vegetation. He employed various art techniques, from the traditional ones to assemblage and crumplage, using natural materials and plaster.