Salman Toor’s ‘Someone Like You’ at London’s Courtauld
Salman Toor, a Pakistani‑American painter, opens a major London show that revisits his signature green‑tinted portraits of queer South Asian men. The exhibition, held at the Courtauld Gallery, reflects his journey from Lahore to New York and his engagement with global politics, art history, and que…
By Felo News Desk · Published
Salman Toor’s latest solo show, Someone Like You, opens at London’s Courtauld Gallery on 2 October and runs until 10 January. The exhibition gathers the most celebrated works of the 43‑year‑old artist, whose figurative oil paintings have earned him international acclaim for their vivid depiction of queer South Asian men in everyday settings.
From Lahore to the Global Art Scene
Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Toor grew up in a middle‑class Muslim family. He found refuge in the art department of Aitchison College, where he began sketching in a school that was otherwise focused on sports. In 2002 he moved to the United States to study art in Columbus, Ohio, and later earned a master’s degree from New York’s Pratt Institute in 2009.
During his early career he experimented with a range of styles before settling on the emerald‑green palette that has become his trademark. Green, he explains, is both glamorous and poisonous, evoking a “forest‑like” atmosphere that invites viewers to look deeper into the scenes he creates.
Reclaiming the Narrative of Brown Queer Identity
Toor’s work is driven by a desire to place brown queer protagonists at the center of the narrative. He says, “Their stories are not a gay side story in a family saga. It’s the main story.” His paintings often feature men in bars, taxis, and bedrooms, challenging the erasure and demonisation that has historically plagued queer South Asian communities.
In 2019, he reimagined Manet’s A Bar at the Folies‑Bergère as The Bar on East 13th, relocating the scene to New York’s East Village and replacing the French barmaid with a brown barman sporting nail polish and braided hair. The piece reflects both his personal coming‑out experience and the hostile messages he received online.
London’s Courtauld: A Home for Influences and Inspiration
Toor chose the Courtauld Gallery because it houses many of the artists he admires, including Rubens, Van Dyck, and Manet. He recalls standing before Manet’s masterpiece and feeling that it held “all the solutions to my problems.” The exhibition’s title, Someone Like You, is a curated selection of paintings and drawings that the artist and curator Elena Crippa assembled together.
He is excited to revisit London, recalling his early 2000s visits to Soho bars and the G‑A‑Y club, where he first encountered gay nightlife and art history. These experiences informed works such as Cross Street, which captures a scene outside the Tayyabs restaurant in Whitechapel, juxtaposing a group of skaters with a passing mullah to explore intersecting identities.
Art Meets Politics: From Zohran Mamdani to Global Protest
Toor’s engagement with politics is evident in his portrait of New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani, painted after the mayor’s Democratic nomination. The portrait, now displayed in the Mamdani family home, reflects Toor’s admiration for the city’s evolving “Habibi City” identity. He also curated the exhibition In a Free State with Israeli‑American artist Doron Langberg, addressing global political turmoil and the challenges of creating art during turbulent times.
His recent work includes a portrait of Mahmoud Khalil, a Columbia University student detained during the Trump administration’s crackdown on pro‑Palestinian speech. The piece underscores Toor’s ongoing commitment to portraying brown protagonists who navigate political oppression.
What’s Next for Toor?
After the Courtauld show, Toor plans to return to his Brooklyn studio, where he continues to experiment with new subjects and techniques. His current projects include unfinished studies of phallic imagery, a large canvas depicting workers repairing an air vent, and sketches of dogs.
Toor remains optimistic about the future of queer South Asian representation in the West, calling new political figures “fearless, funny, and sexy.” He hopes that the West will embrace these qualities in the years ahead.
Why This Exhibition Matters
Toor’s work challenges long‑standing stereotypes and brings queer South Asian narratives to the forefront of contemporary art. By blending classical European influences with modern queer culture, he offers a fresh perspective that resonates with diverse audiences worldwide.
Key facts
- Salman Toor’s green‑tinted portraits center queer South Asian men
- The Courtauld Gallery hosts his new exhibition
- His work intersects with politics, e.g., portraits of Zohran Mamdani
- International acclaim includes a $1.2 million Sotheby’s sale
- He continues to experiment with new themes in Brooklyn
Why it matters
Toor’s exhibition foregrounds queer South Asian narratives, offering visibility and challenging stereotypes in the global art world.
Frequently asked questions
What is the central theme of Toor’s work?
He focuses on queer South Asian identity, challenging erasure and celebrating brown protagonists.
Where is the exhibition held?
The Courtauld Gallery in London, from 2 October to 10 January.
How does Toor’s style relate to European masters?
He draws inspiration from artists like Manet, Rubens, and Van Dyck, reinterpreting their compositions in contemporary contexts.
What future projects is Toor working on?
He is experimenting with phallic imagery, large-scale canvases, and sketches of dogs.
Sources
- [1] theguardian.com — originally reported as “‘Brown men are fearless, funny and sexy’: Salman Toor on clubbing, queerness and New York’s Muslim moment”
