Salman Toor, a Pakistani-born artist based in New York, prepares for his largest exhibition, 'Wish Maker', showcasing his politically and emotionally charged work that intertwines European techniques with contemporary themes of queer desire and the immigrant experience. His paintings, created from memory, reflect his struggle between his Pakistani roots and life in America, with his identity and sexuality often at odds with his conservative upbringing. Toor's work, which gained international acclaim following a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum and the Venice Biennale, explores themes of empowerment, vulnerability, and the complexities of moving between cultures. Despite the success and high demand for his art, Toor remains grounded in the personal nature of his work, often revisiting and reworking pieces to capture the depth of human experience. His latest pieces, characterized by a varied color palette and intimate scale, continue to challenge conventions while addressing personal and cultural narratives, marking his evolution from traditional influences to a distinct and confident style.

Salman Toor prepares for his largest exhibition 'Wish Maker', which illustrates his journey as an artist blending European techniques with themes of queer desire and immigrant experiences, set to open across Luhring Augustine's galleries in Manhattan.

Toor's work is deeply personal and reflective of his struggle with identity, as he navigates the emotional and political tensions between his life in America and his conservative Pakistani upbringing, with his art often confronting his familial and cultural boundaries.

The artist gained prominence in the art world with a solo exhibition at the Whitney Museum and participation in the Venice Biennale, where his distinct style and exploration of cultural displacement and empowerment were celebrated, despite the personal pressures of global recognition.

Toor's paintings are created from memory, avoiding traditional models or photographs, which allows him to maintain an intimate and introspective approach to themes of belonging, memory, and the complexity of human emotions, as seen in his latest works.

His artistic evolution is marked by a broader color palette and a move away from strict conventions, embracing a more personal narrative that intertwines humor, vulnerability, and cultural commentary, reflecting his growth beyond the influence of historical masters.

Despite commercial success, with his works selling for thousands of dollars, Toor remains focused on the personal and artistic integrity of his work, continuously revisiting and refining his paintings to align with his intricate vision of human experience.

His latest paintings, including the 'Fag Puddle' series, capture a blend of absurdity and melancholy, using elements like pink clown noses and swirling compositions to explore themes of queer desire, failure, and the surreal nature of identity and existence.