The Gray Alley

This square-format acrylic painting by Zahid Saleem offers a gritty and expressive look at urban life through an impressionistic lens. Using a muted palette dominated by cool grays and earthy ochres, the artist depicts a narrow city street lined with old buildings and bustling shopfronts. Vibrant pops of turquoise and red on the market awnings break through the misty atmosphere, drawing the eye toward the center of the composition. Saleem's rough, energetic brushwork captures a solitary figure in white navigating the shadows, evoking a sense of everyday mystery and the timeless character of historic neighborhoods.