Art on the Move: Pakistani Truck Art and Its Shift Onto Modern Artefacts

Abstract

Truck art has a significant history in Pakistan, dating back to pre-partition period. It is part of an ongoing tradition that embodies the experiences, feelings and beliefs of the truck drivers and has had an enormous cultural impact on the community. In the last decade, Pakistani artisans have been interested in transferring the images and symbols seen on traditional Pakistani trucks to contemporary artefacts. This study explores the motivations of truck art artisans of Pakistani descent who have shifted images and symbols from traditional Pakistani truck art to contemporary artefacts. Furthermore, this research investigates if the recent shift, in artisans’ views, has affected the meaning of images and symbols on traditional Pakistani trucks now used in contemporary artefacts. The critical review of literature shows a lack of research on the recent shift and what motivated practicing artisans to make the shift. Data was gathered from both primary and secondary data sources. For the former, the researcher conducted semi-structured interviews with artisans of Pakistani descent involved in the transition of this art form. For the latter, the researcher collected online interviews with artisans available on the public domain together with relevant blogs, YouTube videos, websites, and magazine articles. Analysis of the findings identified multiple themes derived from the various motivational factors that were most and least influential in this evolution of this magnificent art form. The findings of the study also provide insight into if the symbols and images employed have evolved as canvases have changed, and how the choice of these symbols is influenced by a variety of factors.