Valay Shende, a video artist and sculptor whose work focuses on the troubles plaguing contemporary urban society and its members, was born in Nagpur in 1980. In 2000, he received his Diploma in an Art Teaching in Nagpur, and then went on to train at the Sir J.J. School of Art, Mumbai, from which he graduated with a BFA in sculpture in 2004. Shende later completed an artist residency at the Open Air Program, Point Ephemere, Paris, in 2006.

Inspired by his surroundings, Shende uses his body of work to capture the challenges and dichotomies that characterize India today, particularly the striking divide between modern and industrial views on one hand, and traditional religious ones on the other. His recent sculptures, unique in both their process and scale, are intricately built out of minute metal discs, pocket watches, copper-plated fiberglass and other non-traditional materials. The combination of video art and sculptural installations in his practice is also unique, adding an entirely new dimension to classical ideas of sculpture.

Shende’s work has been exhibited widely in Indian and other countries including China, Canada, Abu Dhabi, Korea, America, Switzerland, France and Germany. His solo exhibitions include ‘Valay Shende: Indian Encounters’ at Galerie Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich, in 2009 and ‘Recent Works by Valay Shende’ at Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, in 2009. The artist has also participated in number group shows including ‘Still Moving Image’ at the Devi Art Foundation, Gurgaon, in 2008; 'New Narratives: Contemporary Art from India' at the Jane Voorhees Zimmerli Art Museum, New Brunswick, the Salina Art Center, Salina, and the Chicago Cultural Centre, Chicago, in 2007-08; ‘Frontier(s)’ at the Department of Côtes d’Armor at Saint Brieuc, France, in 2007; 'Bombay Maximum City' at Lille 3000, France, in 2006; 'Made by Indians: Art on the Beach’ at Galerie Enrico Navarra, St. Tropez, in 2006; 'Between Myth and History: Indian Video Art’ at Tate Modern, London, in 2006; and 'Indian Video Art: History in Motion' at Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Fukuoka, in 2004. Amongst his honours are the 2004 K.K. Hebbar Foundation Award; First Prize at the India Sabka Festival, Mumbai, in 2002; and the 2002 Best Sculpture Award from the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi.

The artist lives and works in Mumbai.