Truck Art

Ever since I arrived in Pakistan, I have admired the amazingly vivid art that is displayed on trucks, rickshaws, buses – commonly known as ‘truck art’.   Trucks are highly decorated using pictures and calligraphy that either remind the drivers of home or advertise a company.  Decorations include painting, mirror work, bells, fake flowers, tinsel and flags.  The trucks are also known as ‘jingle trucks’ thanks to the many bells attached to the bumper bars.  

 The artwork started in the 1920’s with the import of British Bedford trucks.  The Bedford trucks had a high crown behind the driver’s cab and detailed woodwork on the crown, truck bed, sides and bumpers.  Artists started painting the woodwork and the more decorative the truck the better the business.  Drivers can spend a lot of money, up to two year’s salary, decorating their trucks and competing with other drivers.  

 On each truck you will see so many stories being told – landscapes with soaring mountains, eagles with outspread wings, ferocious tigers, dancing horses, flowers, peacocks and hearts.  Local artists, telling local stories, travelling across the country in the brightest possible way.