Truck art in Pakistan is a unique tradition where cargo trucks are painted with elaborate designs. It began as a way to decorate camels and trucks to attract more passengers and has evolved into an expression of regional culture and pride. Owners spend thousands of dollars to commission intricate paintings that can take 6 months to complete, depicting cultural symbols, landscapes, celebrities, and poetry. The visual styles vary between regions, providing clues to the truck's home city. The decorative interiors also aim to entertain drivers on long journeys.

1. TRUCK ART IN PAKISTAN

2. While most artists use paper or canvas, some creative people in Pakistan use an altogether
different platform for their work. Cargo truck painting has over the past decades become an
important and unique part of Pakistani transport tradition.

3. HISTORY and storytelling.
Pakistani truck art is about cultural history, tradition
In ancient times, when camels were used for the transportation, they were decorated
with brilliant and contrasted colors. This tradition continued up till 20th century. This was
also used to attract more passengers. Now it is used by the truck owners as a symbol of
pride.
Truck art was a source of entertainment for the truck drivers who were on long, boring
cross-country journeys.

4. COST
In a country where the per capita income is very low, it is surprising to see fleet
owners spend $3,000-$5,000 per truck. The total time spent in decorating one cargo
truck is 6 months. The owners would ask the painter to paint whatever they like e.g.
their favourite actress or a sports star

5. Not only the exterior but the interior is decorated.
This makes the journey less boring for the drivers.

6. STYLE SPECIFIC TO THE REGIONS
Every region of the country has a different style in truck art.
People living in the south city Karachi like reflecting tape, those from the west like
wood work and Lahore people mostly like ornaments made from camel bone.
So after looking at the decoration on the truck you can guess which city the owner
belongs from!

7. TRUCK ART DESIGN AND THEMES
- Lines of poetry
- Religious calligraphy
- Common funny phrases
- Beautiful women
- Mythical creatures
- National heroes

8. Truck Art Sample

9. INSCRIPTIONS ON TRUCKS
Mostly trucks have inscriptions written on them. They are written in several
language as Arabic, Urdu, Pashto, Balochi, Brahvi, Sindhi, Punjabi and
others. These show the thinking of owners, painters and drivers.
These inscriptions would be some funny phrases or a prayer to the reader

10. FUNNY POETRY WRITTEN ON TRUCKS
“My heart is for sale. The price is just a smile!”

11. “My truck is as beautiful as a Chinese doll”

12. “Please keep a safe distance…Or we will fall in love”

13. SOURCES
http://www.himalmag.com
http://www.theatlantic.com
http://www3.amherst.edu