Valay Shende's Slice-of-Life Sculptures: True Spirit of Bombay

"Dabbawala," from Valay Shende's series of works celebrating Mumbai, titled "Spirit of Bombay" Image courtesy: Valay Shende

I recently had a wonderful opportunity to interview Mumbai-based Valay Shende. I've been an admirer of his art ever since I had seen images of his works many years ago. The first time I saw a Valay Shende sculpture in person was a few years ago at the India Art Fair. It was "Virar Local," a life-size sculpture made of stainless steel discs, depicting commuters hanging by an imaginary pole on the well-known local train of Mumbai.

"Virar Local" is part of Shende's most famous series, "Spirit of Bombay." As is obvious, it is a creative take on the maximum city's sprightly spirit, and "Dabbawala" sculptures (created in many versions) are some of the most loved.

The biggest "Dabbawala" rendition is outside the Haji Ali crossing in Mumbai, and anybody passing the street cannot miss it whatsoever. 

Right now, six works from the "Spirit of Bombay" series are on display at the Palladium mall in Mumbai.  

"Virar Local," from the series "Spirit of Bombay." Image courtesy: Valay Shende

It's not just the subject matter of Shende's life-size works that has a stunning impact, it's also the technique that he employs to create these works that dazzles — quite literally tonnes of small stainless steel discs are soldered together to create these works. As the works are hollow, it becomes relatively easier to transport these to venues all over the world — of course, only relatively easy when compared to a similar-sized bronze work. I'm told the work titled "Transit (Truck)" took almost a year to assemble.

Valay Shende with his installation, "Transit (Truck)" that is a comment on the immigrant workers coming to Mumbai daily in big numbers to build their lives. Image courtesy: Valay Shende


In my interview with Shende for Blouin Artinfo, he speaks about his works, his technique and how he strives to give creative expression to India's socio-political realities through his art. Check out the interview here: https://in.blouinartinfo.com/news/story/3704070/valay-shendes-spirit-of-bombay-at-the-palladium-mumbai 

                  
                       A glittering "Buffalo" from the same series. Image courtesy: Valay Shende