The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Years before she picked up a welding machine, Sonal Ambani’s favourite instrument was the double bass. “In school, I was the first bass for my school orchestra,” says the artist-sculptor, who grew up in New York and now lives in London. “Despite my hard work and ability, when the All State Orchestra was formed, I was surprised to see that without auditions, it was assumed that a boy would sit in the first chair.”
Ambani says she didn’t understand it in context at the time, but after seeing similar patterns over and over again, it became clear to her that patriarchal structures not only create gender bias in opportunities for girls and women around the world, but also continue to drive economic inequality. This realisation was further influenced by Nobel laureate Claudia Goldin’s studies on women and work – all of which form the basis of Ambani’s latest sculpture, which is on display in the ‘Personal Structures’ section of the ongoing Venice Biennale.
Sculptor Sonal Ambani
At the European Cultural Center in Palazzo Morra, stands a monument with the poetic title The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune: A bull (representing male supremacy) charges towards a circular red target while red arrows pierce its thick, stainless steel hide which itself is a filigree-like structure of global currency symbols. This is Ambani’s “visual metaphor for the gender pay gap”, to contribute to the dialogue on ending such discrimination.
Strong, Clean, Reflective
Over the course of a career spanning three decades, Ambani has distinguished herself by creating large-scale, impactful work, work born out of her parents’ encouragement — her father ran an art gallery in New York and would take her to places like the Storm King Art Center, an iconic open-air museum in New Windsor.
Arrival of the bulls in Venice
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune At the European Cultural Center in Palazzo Mora
She has presented work in prestigious rooms, including the Leila Heller Gallery, and was one of the artists selected for the Elephant Parade in 2018. Ambani is inspired by artists such as Anish Kapoor, Bharti Kher, Antony Gormley and Lorenzo Quinn – taking lessons from each on form (how to manipulate space or intricate craftsmanship) and content (identity and social issues).
Those familiar with his work will recognize the bull in his pandemic-era artwork Allegorical valueWhich meant reflecting on how we assign value in our lives. They will also recognize the sculptor’s fondness for figurative expression through the animal kingdom – horses, lions, elephants, birds and bears have all been rendered, often in stainless steel (with the help of skilled craftsmen), over a career spanning three decades.
“Stainless steel has a special appeal because of its strength, durability and modern aesthetics,” Ambani said. She has also worked with bronze, fibre and wood when she wanted to bring warmth and a timeless quality to her work. “Stainless steel has proven to be useful [in this work] To aesthetically embody the nature of patriarchy. This allows for a clean, polished finish that can convey both power and precision, which is essential for a piece like this The slings and arrows of outrageous fortuneThe reflective quality of the material also adds an interactive dimension, engaging viewers as they see themselves reflected in the sculpture.”
The slings and arrows of outrageous fortune
Close-up of the statue
Inspiring action, inspiring change
Ambani said the artwork has triggered personal reflection among visitors, having previously attended the Venice Biennale with his emotional artwork. Riderless Skyalso fostered a great deal of interactive engagement. “I hope visitors leave with an increased awareness of the pervasive nature of the gender pay gap and feel inspired to take concrete steps toward achieving gender equality. The goal is to provoke thought, awaken empathy, and inspire change.”
The author is a Mumbai-based freelance journalist who writes on culture, lifestyle and technology.
