Salman Toor’s Men in the City

Sean Burns | Frieze | 30th September 2026

Toor’s first exhibition in London is attracting rave reviews that will only add to a soaring reputation. Pakistani-born, he mainly paints “narrative” portraits and group figure compositions that explore the struggle to achieve “a sense of belonging, both culturally and emotionally.” Painted in “velvety” oils, they clearly reference Old Master works, of which Toor is an avid student. Says one critic, “He can do everything. … one of the most sought-after painters of his generation.”