Valay was born in Nagpur in 1980. He received his Diploma in Art Teaching in Nagpur in 2000 and then his Bachelor of Fine Arts in sculpture from the Sir J J School of Art, Mumbai, in 2004. In 2006, he completed his artist residency at the Open Air Program at Point Éphémère in Paris. He examines the complexities of contemporary India, where rapid urbanisation and technological progress exist alongside deeply rooted cultural and spiritual traditions. Drawing inspiration from everyday life, he explores themes of identity, social transformation and human resilience through works that encourage reflection on the changing realities of modern society.

Best known for his innovative sculptural language, Shende employs unconventional materials such as stainless steel discs, pocket watches, copper-plated fibreglass and found industrial objects to construct meticulously detailed forms. His painstaking process transforms ordinary materials into visually compelling sculptures that balance technical precision with conceptual depth. Alongside sculpture, he has also worked extensively with video and installation, expanding traditional notions of sculptural practice through immersive and interdisciplinary approaches.

Shende has exhibited across India and internationally, with presentations in Switzerland, France, Germany, the United States, Canada, China, South Korea and the United Arab Emirates. His notable solo exhibitions include Indian Encounters at Galerie Kashya Hildebrand, Zurich (2009), and Recent Works at Sakshi Gallery, Mumbai (2009). He has also participated in significant international exhibitions such as Still Moving Image at the Devi Art Foundation, Gurgaon; New Narratives: Contemporary Art from India, which travelled across the United States; Frontier(s) in Saint-Brieuc, France; Bombay Maximum City at Lille 3000, France; Made by Indians: Art on the Beach in Saint-Tropez; Between Myth and History: Indian Video Art at Tate Modern, London; and Indian Video Art: History in Motion at the Fukuoka Asian Art Museum, Japan.

His contributions have been recognised with several awards, including the K K Hebbar Foundation Award (2004), the Best Sculpture Award from the All India Fine Arts & Crafts Society (AIFACS), New Delhi (2002), and First Prize at the India Sabka Festival, Mumbai (2002).

Valay Shende presently lives and works in Mumbai.