Biography

Valay Shende is a video artist and sculptor born in Nagpur in 1980, whose work addresses the challenges facing contemporary urban society and its members. In 2000, he received his diploma in art teaching in Nagpur and subsequently trained at the Sir J.J. School of Art in Mumbai, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Sculpture in 2004. In 2006, Shende completed an artist residency at the Open Air Programme, Point Éphémère, in Paris.

Shende's sculptures are notable for their significant physical weight and powerful thematic content. One of his notable works, "Bhaiya Indian," is a six-foot copper-plated fiberglass sculpture of a security guard. The sculpture presents an intriguing twist: while the figure appears to be a traditional guard, he is depicted with eight arms, each holding different objects, including a rifle, an iron box, a stethoscope, a tea kettle, a dead fish, and a mason's plastering tool. Further adding to the work's complexity, the guard’s spinal cord is exposed at the rear, with a set of moving wheels and gears attached, allowing the arms to move when connected to an electric source. The guard is otherwise minimally dressed, with only a slender piece of underwear around his waist and a uniform cap on his head, conveying a stark message about vulnerability and power.

Shende's skill and thematic focus are also evident in other works featuring Buddha, whom he considers a guiding figure in troubled times. One such work, "The Holy Father," features a ninety-four-inch marble fiberglass statue of Buddha riding a dynamic stallion, juxtaposing the calm of the enlightened figure with the energy of the rearing horse. Another piece, "Buddha Right, Mark Wrong," presents a gold-plated Buddha attempting to stop a car, which is adorned with logos of multinational companies and pierced with communist symbols. This work critiques consumerism and capitalism while reflecting Shende's contemplation on societal values.

Other notable works by Shende include "Dead," a sculpture composed of mirror, glass, goat fur, and fiberglass, which comments on the failure of various religions to uplift the common man. His piece "Gun of Counter Revolution" features a firearm with two barrels pointing in opposite directions, symbolizing the duality of violence and the idea that the aggressor can also become the victim.

Valay Shende

Shende's works are a subtle yet potent commentary on the maladies affecting urban society today. As a keen observer of his surroundings, he is deeply concerned with the struggles of everyday life for the common man. Through his art, Shende endeavors to challenge societal issues and provoke reflection on the part of his audience. His practice primarily involves video work and sculptural installations, with his observations and emotions guiding his choice of media and the production of his work.

Valay Shende has exhibited his works internationally, including at the Havana Biennale, "Bombay Maximum City" at Lille3000, and "Made by Indians" at St. Tropez Beach in France. His dedication to exploring social issues through art reflects his belief in the artist's role as a mirror to society, and his conviction that an ideal world can be envisioned through artistic expression.

Curriculum Vitae

  • 15 September 1980 – Nagpur
  • 2004 - Bachelor of Fine Arts (Sculpture), Sir J. J. School of Fine Art's, Mumbai
  • 2000 - Diploma in Art Teacher Course, Govt. C.M.V., Nagpur, Maharashtra
  • 2019 - Marriott, Champs Elysees, Curated By Opera Gallery, Paris
  • 2019 - Spirit Of Bombay, Palladium, Mumbai
  • 2015 - From Day to Day, Opera Gallery, Paris
  • 2015 - Migrating Histories of Molecular Identities, Dr. Bhau Daji Lad Mumbai City Museum, Mumbai
  • 2009 - Indian Encounters, Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich
  • 2009 - Recent Works by Valay Shende, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai
  • 2007 - Recent Works by Valay Shende, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai
  • 2012-13 - Recent Works by Valay Shende, Palette Art Gallery, New Delhi
  • 2025 - Dialogues Across Time, Indian Museum & Basu Foundation, Kolkata, India
  • 2025 - The People Of Mumbai, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya, Mumbai, India
  • 2025 - Desh Pardesh - Multidisciplinary Art Exposition, Venue Not Mentioned, New Delhi, India
  • 2025 - Voir Dire, In the Round, Royal Terrace, Colaba Mumbai, India
  • 2025 - Origin Story Curated by Anica Mann, Kalakriti Gallery, New Delhi, India
  • 2025 - Contemporary Signatures, Molanilsa Kalagram, Pune, India
  • 2024 - Door to Daydreaming, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2024 - Boundless Horizons NewArtX, Digital Fine Art Exhibition, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2024 - UAE’s Cosmic Voyage, Atlantis The Royal, Dubai, UAE
  • 2024 - Recent Work Valay Shende, Tilsilt Gallery, Porto, Portugal
  • 2024 - ARTX, Palette Art Gallery, Hotel Park, Hyderabad, India
  • 2023 - Art Mumbai, BlackCube, Mumbai, India
  • 2022 - 18 Dimensions, Palette Art Gallery, Bikaner House, New Delhi, India
  • 2022 - Opera Gallery, Miami, USA
  • 2021 - Recent Work by Valay Shende, Opera Gallery, Dubai
  • 2020 - Chasing Colour, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2017 - Group Show, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2015 - INBOX - Exhibitions of Three Dimensional Artworks, Hill Fort Palace, Hyderabad, India
  • 2015 - The Ecstasy of Art 2, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2014 - Open Ended, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2013 - Sculpted Images, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2013 - Beyond the Canvas, Tao Art Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2013 - In House, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2012 - Moving on Asia, Alternative Space LOOP, Seoul, Beijing, Wellington
  • 2012 - Diva, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2012 - Looking Back, Looking Forward, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2012 - Contemporary, The Park, Chennai, India
  • 2011 - High-Light, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, India
  • 2010 - Roots, The Park, India
  • 2010 - New Focus, Sakshi Gallery, FTII, Pune, India
  • 2009 - SPECTRUM Indian Art in Abu Dhabi, Emirates Palace, Abu Dhabi
  • 2008 - Still Moving Image, Devi Art Foundation, Gurgaon, India
  • 2007 - INDIGENIUS, Indian Contemporary Art Exhibition, Soka Contemporary Space, Taipei, Taiwan
  • 2007 - Frontier(s), Department of Côtesd’Armor, Saint Brieuc, France
  • 2005 - Ways of Resisting, Venue Not Mentioned, New Delhi, India
  • 2003 - India Fine Art & Craft Society (AIFACS), Venue Not Mentioned, Mumbai, India
  • 2002 - India Sabha, B. Y. Chavan and Bandra Bandstand, Mumbai, India
  • 2019 - India Art Fair, NSIC Exhibition Grounds, New Delhi
  • 2015 - India Art Fair
  • 2014 - Recognition System, Kuandu Biennale, Kuandu Museum of Fine Arts, Taipei National University of the Arts, Taipei
  • 2014 - City Dwellers: Contemporary Art from India, Seattle Art Museum, Seattle
  • 2014 - Art Basel, Hong Kong
  • 2014 - India Art Fair
  • 2013 - Art Basel, Hong Kong
  • 2013 - India Art Fair
  • 2012 - India Art Fair
  • 2011-12 - Indian Highway, in collaboration with the Serpentine Gallery, London and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, Oslo at MAXXI: Museum of XXI Century Arts, Rome
  • 2011 - India Art Summit
  • 2011 - Roots in the Air, Branches Below: Modern & Contemporary Art from India, San Jose Museum of Art, San Jose
  • 2011 - Indian Highway, Lyon Museum of Contemporary Art, Lyon
  • 2011 - Concurrent India, Helsinki Art Museum Tennis Palace, Finland
  • 2010 - Finding India: Art for the New Century, presented by Sakshi Gallery at Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), Taipei
  • 2009 - Art Hong Kong
  • 2009 - Art Dubai
  • 2009 - Scope Basel
  • 2009 - ARCO
  • 2008 - CIGE, Beijing
  • 2008 - Art Cologne, Cologne, Germany
  • 2008 - Pulse Miami, Miami
  • 2008 - Art Dubai, Madinat Jumeirah, Dubai
  • 2008 - The Sakshi Show, Darbar Hall Art Centre, Kochi
  • 2008 - Art Taipei, Taipei World Trade Center, Taiwan
  • 2008 - New Narratives: Contemporary Art from India, Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick; Salina Art Center, Salina
  • 2007 - Inaugural Show, Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai
  • 2007 - New Narratives Contemporary Art from India, Chicago Cultural Center, Chicago, USA
  • 2007 - Art on the Corniche, organized by Enrico Navarra, Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage & Abu Dhabi Tourism Authority, Abu Dhabi, UAE
  • 2007 - Frontier(s), Department of Côtes-d'Armor, Saint Brieuc, France
  • 2007 - Sh Contemporary, Shanghai Exhibition Centre, Shanghai, China
  • 2007 - Art Singapore, Suntec Hall, Singapore
  • 2006 - Experimenta: Mesh 17, New Media in Australia and Asia
  • 2006 - Bombay Maximum City, Lille 3000, France
  • 2006 - Made by Indians, Art on the Beach, Galerie Enrico Navarra, St. Tropez, France
  • 2006 - Between Myth and History, Indian Video Art, Tate Modern, London
  • 2005 - Cross-Over & Re-Writes: Borders in Asia, World Social Forum, Museum of Contemporary Art and Porto Alegre, Brazil
  • 2005 - Xeno-Tech-Trasmediale, New Media Festival, Berlin, Germany
  • 2005 - Between Myth and History, Indian Video Art, Ecole Des Beaux Art, Paris, France
  • 2005 - Ko - Durban Video Festival, Durban
  • 2005 - Beau ProgrammeUn Grand Mercil Avec Nos Compliments, Paris, France
  • 2004 - Indian Video Art: History in Motion, Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka City, Japan
  • 2004 - Seni, Art & Contemporary, Singapore Art Museum, Singapore
  • 2004 - Video Art Road Show, New Delhi
  • 2004 - Aar Paar 3, Lahore, Pakistan
  • 2004 - Digital Film Festival, British Council, New Delhi
  • 2004 - Monsoon Show, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
  • 2003 - Havana Biennale, Pavilion De la Cuba, Havana, Cuba
  • 2003 - Video Art Road Show 2, Mumbai
  • 2003 - In Our Time, Short Film Festival, Mumbai, India & Hamburg, Germany
  • 2003 - I Love My India, Total Museum, Seoul
  • 2003 - Move on Asia, Video Festival, Loop Alternative Space, Seoul
  • 2010 - Glenfiddich Artist-in-Residence Program, Glasgow, UK
  • 2006 - Open 'Air' Program, Artist in Residency, Point Ephemere, Paris, France
  • 2022 - "Artist Of The Year", AISL LUMIERE AWARDS, Mumbai
  • 2016 - "Artist Of The Year", Hello Hall Of Fame, Mumbai
  • 2004 - K.K Hebbar Foundation Award, Monsoon Show, Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai
  • 2003 - Two Silver Medals, Zonal Inter University Competition, Gujarat
  • 2002 - 1st Award for Best Sculpture, All India Fine Art & Craft Society, Mumbai, India
  • 2002 - 1st Prize, Art Installation, India Sabka Festival, Mumbai
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