Art on wheels: Pakistan’s ornate trucks a treat for eyes

Although the rickety trucks pollute the roads and chug along at a snail’s pace, but to their Pakistani owners they are moving pieces of art, commanding attention with portraits of flowers, Islamic art, and snow-capped Himalayan peaks.South Asian ‘truck art’ has become a global phenomenon, inspiring gallery exhibitions abroad and prompting stores in London neighbourhoods to sell flamboyant miniature pieces. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

Updated on: Jun 17, 2017 6:00 PM IST

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Although the rickety trucks pollute the roads and chug along at a snail’s pace, but to their Pakistani owners they are moving pieces of art, commanding attention with portraits of flowers, Islamic art, and snow-capped Himalayan peaks.South Asian ‘truck art’ has become a global phenomenon, inspiring gallery exhibitions abroad and prompting stores in London neighbourhoods to sell flamboyant miniature pieces. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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A driver holds the door of the carved wood cabin of his truck. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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Flower motifs and eyes to ward off bad luck are seen on a decorated truck in Taxila, Pakistan. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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Artwork seen on a truck’s hub cap in Pakistan. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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For the drivers the designs that turn decades-old vehicles into moving murals are often about local pride. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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An electric gauge is seen in the cab of a decorated truck. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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Boys pose for a picture in front of an adorned truck in Peshawar. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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With Pakistan’s economy picking up speed and new roads opening up trade routes to China, truck art may soon find new admirers abroad. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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Truck art has become one of Pakistan’s best known cultural exports and offshoot toy for furniture industries. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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Decorations cover the gear shift of a truck outside Faisalabad. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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According to one of the drivers the choice of art put up varies from place to place. Khyber, Mohmand and other tribal regions like flowers on the edge of the vehicles while the people of Swat, South Waziristan and Kashmir region like portraits of mountains and different wild animals. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)

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Workers load straw onto a decorated truck in Pakistan. (Caren Firouz/REUTERS)