Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre and Opera Gallery Unveil a New Sculpture by Valay Shende

Opera Gallery Dubai is proud to present an all-new sculpture from globally renowned Indian artist Valay Shende in line with Dubai Watch Week.

Placed in the midst of the decadent Four Seasons Hotel Dubai International Financial Centre lobby, the life-size sculpture is a striking addition where Hotel guests can admire the dazzling copper-plated art piece that is adorned with a dazzling array of watches.

Shende’s life-size sculptures capture the tension between tradition and modernisation in his native India. Based in Mumbai, Shende’s practice is concerned with the lives of everyday urban people in an era of rapid change. The sculpture placed at Four Seasons Hotel DIFC heroises India’s working class, specifically the dabbawalas who are workers who deliver hot lunches daily throughout the city.

In addition to his signature metal beads, Shende uses unconventional sculptural materials such as watches and copper-plated fiberglass to add glamorous and visually striking elements to his everyday subjects.

The sculpture’s fascia is created using watches, making it a fitting addition to the Hotel’s lobby in time for Dubai Watch Week, the city’s premier watch event.

Shende has shown in international venues, including the Havana Biennial (2003), Fukuoka Asian Art Museum (2004), Tate Modern (2006), the Serpentine Galleries (2011–12), and the Kuandu Biennale (2014), where his sculptures have sold for more than a USD 100,000.

Sylvain Gaillard, Director at Opera Gallery Dubai comments, “We are immensely excited to continue our partnership with Four Seasons Hotel DIFC by unveiling our prized sculpture from celebrated artist and sculptor Valay Shende in time for the Dubai Watch Week – the piece will definitely be an eye-catching and glamorous addition to the already opulent lobby and pique the interest of every guest, considering that Dubai Watch Week is taking place at DIFC.”

Renan Astolpho, General Manager at Four Seasons DIFC, adds, “Art is an essential element of our brand and guest experience. We are incredibly delighted to welcome Valay Shende’s globally renowned sculpture at our lobby and take forward our partnership with Opera Gallery – it’s the perfect timing and placement considering that it’s Dubai Watch Week.”

Opera Gallery and Four Seasons Hotel DIFC invite guests to experience Valay Shende’s sculpture at the Hotel's lobby.

About Opera Gallery

Founded in 1994 with exhibition spaces in Singapore and Paris by French art dealer Gilles Dyan, Opera Gallery Group is today comprised of twelve galleries worldwide with additional locations in London, Geneva, Monaco, Hong Kong, Seoul, Singapore, Dubai, Beirut, Miami, New York and most recently in Aspen. Since its inception the gallery has presented a program of major modern and contemporary works by predominately established artists, showcasing its expansive collection of works in dialogue with a contemporary visual language. Realised through an annual program of exhibitions, each gallery promotes a cross-cultural exchange of modern and contemporary artists.

Opera Gallery was the first international gallery to open its doors in Hong Kong in 2004. Today, the gallery utilises its vast global network to source and cultivate contemporary artists from around the world, and now represents a unique collection of emerging and established contemporary artists supported in annual exhibitions and art fairs programs.