Marco Valoti: “Pourquoi des Pelles ?” – The Symbolism of the Shovel

Why shovels? Because over time, the shovel has taken the place of the sickle and hammer as an emblem of labor. It is a raw and powerful symbol of human toil, perseverance, and, ultimately, the exploitation of man by man. The shovel is a tool of necessity, used for building, digging, and survival—but it also speaks of struggle, hardship, and the burdens placed on workers across the world.

Marco Valoti’s work with shovels is not just about the physical object but about what it represents in a broader social and historical context. The series Pourquoi des Pelles ? is a striking reflection on labor and its often invisible suffering. The corroded, aged appearance of the shovels in this collection speaks to their long history of use, their exposure to the elements, and their transformation over time. These are not just tools; they are relics of countless untold stories.

But Valoti’s intervention is not only about suffering. He has modified these shovels, breathing new life into them, offering an alternative to their otherwise grim existence. Through the use of acrylic paint and artistic alteration, the shovels are given a new meaning—one that challenges the viewer to reconsider the narratives of work, resilience, and resistance.

🔨 Series of 23 corroded shovels
🎨 Acrylic on metal
📏 Height: 2.30 m
📅 Year: 2010

Valoti’s work invites us to look at everyday objects differently, to recognize their symbolism, and to question the structures that define labor in our modern world. What does a shovel mean to you?

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