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Contemporary artist and sculptor Valay Shende
interrogates socio‒economic and political issues that
affect the common man in India’s rapidly urbanising
and globalising society. The present lot is one of many
cattle‒themed sculptures the artist has created over
the last decade. The buffalo serves many practical
purposes in India’s largely agricultural society: its milk
92
VALAY SHENDE
(b. 1980)
Untitled
Metal discs
Height: 29 in (73.5 cm)
Width : 86.25 in (219.3 cm)
Depth : 54.25 in (137.7 cm)
$ 46,875 ‒ 54,690
Rs 30,00,000 ‒ 35,00,000
First from a limited edition of three and one artist's proof
“I want the viewer to be able to see himself in the work of art.” VALAY SHENDEis a source of nourishment and the hide is used for
leather goods. In a similar work, “Shende compares the
buffalo and the common man in order to pay homage
to this simple but essential animal. This sculpture
consists of brass metal discs welded together, an
allusion to the fact that we are all made up of atoms
and we all share common experiences even with a
buffalo.” (Artist statement, Kashya Hildebrand, online)
The shiny reflective surfaces are, quite literally, a mirror
to society.
Shende’s life‒size installations are made of modern,
industrial material such as metal, fibreglass, or even
a car, and make an ironic statement about the flesh
and blood of the subjects he portrays. Shende’s video
installations and sculptures, including the bovine‒
themed pieces, have been shown at exhibitions in
India and worldwide, and are part of several private
collections.
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