 Leirner was born in São Paulo, Brazil to Fulvia (née Bornstein) Leirner and Adolpho Leirner, modern and contemporary art collectors.Leirner studied visual arts at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado, São Paulo, Brazil, where she graduated in 1984 and taught between 1987 and 1989.Leirner's work references the history of Brazilian Constructivism and the legacy of Arte Povera and Minimalism.