Humanitarian Concerns

In the exhibition Migrating Histories of Molecular Identities, artist Valay Shende tries to unravel time, history and myth to find out where we as a society stand today, and where we are headed in the future. Presented in association with Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai, the show has Shende use everyday items and symbols such as trucks, buffalos and tiffin-carriers in his creations – in an attempt to look at society and its problems with a new perspective. Though the artist’s works relate to an Indian milieu, he reaches out to the global citizen as well and says, ‘if you consider the world yours, there are no seams, no boundaries…the moment you look at yourself as a citizen of a country and not of the world, you limit yourself.’

5 Questions with the artist, Valay Shende

1. Artistic Motivations “Responsibility towards society.”
2. Inspirations “My surroundings.”
3. On the wall at home “I admire NS Harsha and graffiti artist JR for the directness in their work.”
4. Concerns that find a place in your art “The world is my home. The problems of humanity are my own and this is what I project in my work.”
5. If you weren’t an artist, you would be…“A scientist.”

Migrating Histories of Molecular Identities is on display at Bhau Daji Lad Museum, Mumbai (Rani Baug, 91A, Babasaheb Ambedkar Road, Byculla) from January 10 – February 28, 2015.