The Singers 2019

Curator: Here we have Salman Toor’s painting "The Singers," created in 2019 using oil paint. What are your initial thoughts? Editor: I'm struck by the work's whimsical nature; there is a lightness to the figures perched above a thick brick wall. The palette evokes nostalgia. Curator: Absolutely, and that sense of nostalgia speaks to Toor's broader interest in representing queer South Asian identities within a globalized world. The painting's characters inhabit a shared public space, perhaps echoing themes of community, belonging, and shared experiences against a backdrop of social and political complexity. Editor: Yes, I find it interesting to think of public versus private life in a shared space. Formally, I am interested in the slightly off-kilter perspective. Toor toys with perspective by making the brick wall a strong horizontal line which, when viewed from eye level, divides the painting's compositions. The brick and cloudy skies sandwich the gathering into pockets of engagement and viewing. Curator: He presents his subjects in vulnerable and tender moments. His use of portraiture reflects the nuances and subtleties of identity. Who are they, how do they relate to one another, and what cultural narratives are in play? We are made to wonder. Editor: The figures, although simply constructed, carry tremendous symbolic weight. We could even apply a semiotic reading to the performers on the wall compared to the observers on the ground: guitar equals performance equals expression; wine bottle equals consumption and perhaps escapism. What do you think? Curator: That reading resonates, because this divergence creates an active discussion of visibility, and hints at power dynamics. Toor places queer South Asian figures in contexts, thus visualizing their existence in ways previously unseen. The work contributes to a narrative which insists on inclusion. Editor: Agreed. The very choice of oil paint allows for layered narratives—glazes, shadows, the buildup of tones to further enhance the psychological undercurrents in this vignette. Curator: The themes he explores regarding culture and the experiences of marginalized communities continue to evolve dialogue. It’s the beginning of visual and societal discourse. Editor: And its skillful use of formal elements—color, line, and composition—effectively amplify these narratives. Thank you.