30/06/2018
The Great Wall of Pakistani Truck Art Project at New Islamabad International Airport.
Truck art is a home grown Art-Form in south Asia. In Pakistan, the form is marked by intense floral patterns and poetic calligraphy. The traditional Pakistani truck art form developed in the late 60’s. When trucks were mostly decorated with spiritual imagery on the back of the vehicle. Later, calligraphy began to engulf the whole body of the vehicle and other elements came into play. Pakistani trucks are known around the world as moving canvases. They are lovingly decorated by their drivers / owners who spend their days and nights driving them all across the country.
Ornamented in vibrant colors, inscribed with romantic poetry and portraits, birds, animal, floral patterns and modern designs…… every truck has a unique story to tell.
“Time makes me Bridal Once again”
(Waqt ne aik baar phir Dulhan bana dia”
In the metamorphosis of a truck into a bride, the body parts of the vehicle assume human aspects; the steel metallic decoration of the top of the driving cabin is a Taaj (Crown), the wind-screen is the Mathha or forehead. The body of the truck is heavily decorated with a mixture of images, borders and writing, often humorous, sometimes wistful and romantic. The enduring theme is love and sweet romance, with veiled beauties and hearts crossed by arrows.
A great wall of Truck Art was created for this project by more than 50 artisans (Painters, Decorators, body-makers), working all over the Country.
Project Coordinator
Munawar Ali Syed
(An internationally renowned Visual Artist from Pakistan)
Production Coordinator
Wajid Ali. Daharkiwala
(Visual Artist and Art Educationist from Pakistan)
Text by Wajid Daharkiwala
Daharkiwala is a Visual Artist and currently teaching as Assistant Professor at the department of Fine Arts, School of Art, Design and Architecture, University of Gujrat Pakistan.
He was the key member of the project W11- Karachi to Melbourne, project for the commonwealth games 2006 in Melbourne, Australia. 'The Great Wall of Pakistani Truck Art' at New Islamabad International Airport 2018. He has conducted art workshops and seminars in various academies in Pakistan and abroad, and worked with the craftsmen of Hunza, Atabad and Sindh. He has participated in many national and international exhibitions. Wajid is currently living and working in Gujrat, Pakistan.
