Truck art of Pakistan has gain fame worldwide. The buses and trucks are highly decorated and customized. The art includes painting, calligraphy, poetic verses, plastic work and carving. Trucks are decorated according to the taste of owners.
Paintings of many
national heroes, sports man, movies heroes, myths, beautiful baby girls and
boys, animals and women are seen. Moreover these trucks have striking fresh and
full of life colors. It is just like painting masterpieces running on the
roads. Many people from Pakistan went in
International fares and competitions and won by showing excellent skills to
decorate their vehicles.
A truck is decorated in
nearly $3,000 to $5,000. But the wages of these artists are very small. Perhaps
these artists are portraying their wishes and desires on trucks –wishes that
cannot be fulfilled because of their small earnings. Often birds are painted
that were flying in open air. These pictures are not only showing great art but
also indicate the thinking of the painter that wants to touch the sky. God knows
well he want to touch the sky by getting fame and appreciation of his work or
he wants to earn enough so he can live a free peaceful life.
Many families are
linked with this art and are doing this from their ancestors. But according to
the current situation they are thinking to leave or to switch to some other
business as there is no support from government and the wages paid are very
small as compared to their work.
On the other hand some fashion designers in South Asia have also used the same technique and style of folk art work in their dresses and cloths. Some use the technique in furniture and many craft men have started creating same art form on home accessories. So this unique decor art from roads is brought straight into our houses.
This art form was originally created in Pakistan and there are some organizations that are dedicated for the preservation of this form of art. So this art may live alive in fabrics and other interior decoration pieces but the survival of art creators will be difficult because of the ignorance of people and non supportive behavior of the government.
One of its own kind. The Pakistani truck art reflecting the colorful and cheerful Pakistani culture. Thanks for sharing-highlighting this beautiful aspect of Pakistan.
ReplyDeletethanks a lot for appreciating.
DeleteNo doubt they are doing great work and it should be appreciated the way you did it over here. At the same time I would request that we should not look always to the Government to appreciate them or support them. We as society should also take step forward and do something for them. Fahim Khan
ReplyDeleteThank you Fahim for your participation. You are right in saying that as a nation we must save our culture / art and heritage.
Deleteyesterday shafaq i went to a market and there were a lot of home accessories from china and i saw a lot truck art on them even it was carved in metallic form like pakistani trucks.. believe me i was thinking to take a picture and send you but alas i forgot
ReplyDeletewant to say that china has already adopted the skill... art will never die... but our craftsmen will surely will.. some day
Hi Anna
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing this. Isn't it a shame that when so many look to add beauty, we allow the few to destroy it with hate. I hope these artists will continue to brighten the lives of those around them Thanks.
Lenie
Thank you Lenie
DeleteThis is problem with the world that rich is getting richer and poor getting poorer.. I hope that world will have a balance some day.
Truck art looks very neat. I think if downtown trolleys in places here did that it would attract more tourism.
ReplyDeleteHello HJM
DeleteYes you are right about that it can help attract tourism. It is indeed very neat and beautiful.
This is a fascinating article. I didn't know about this truck art until I recently saw a film from Pakistan called Dukhtar by filmmaker Afia Nathaniel which featured just such a truck. It was so beautiful and it's colors stood out from the stark landscape. I had no idea this was a form of art. Thanks for expanding my knowledge about this tradition.
ReplyDeleteHello John
DeleteThis is taken as art in Pakistan and many are related to this work for their livelihood. It was nice that you saw this in movie, I hope you like that movie too.
Hi Anna,
ReplyDeleteThis truck art is amazing. It shows how people of this land love to art. I don't think these artists want to have any grant from the government but they demand good economic policies. Once the business will flourish they will start spreading colors of happiness & joy