Truck art collection
The only holiday I had growing up in London was an annual vacation to our country of origin. Vacations to Karachi delighted my senses and everytime I visit Karachi I am taken back by the colours, vibrancy and flavours of Karachi. Pakistani trucks have played an important role in shaping my world. With their beautiful bold colours, pictures of iconic celebrities and the poetic quotes displayed at the back of the trucks. I have always wanted to design a collection inspired by truck art, hence I collaborated with local artist Haseen Chohan ( not a relative) to create a collection of coasters, tablemats, cushions and fashion pieces inspired by this old form of art.
History of Truck Art
Truck Art, an indigenous form of art of South Asia, has changed over time. It all started with Sikhs of the Punjab region who would paint their spiritual gurus on the back of trucks as a sign of well-being and blessings. Later the Muslim trucks drivers also began to paint their Sufi saints. The truck art evolved and the whole of the truck was begun to be decorated with artful paint, mesmerising floral design, rich colours, exotic animals, and imaginary scenery depicting paradise.
Artist spotlight: art by haseen
To bring this collection to reality I collaborated with Haseen who is a talented self taught artist from Karachi. He is actually from the same community and lives in the same area where my parents were raised. The brief was to create a series of hand sketches that captures the true essence of truck art. This was then translated into cushions, coasters, tablemats and soon to limited edition fashion pieces.
I had a great time working with Haseen and his talent for hand sketching is evident in the work.
truck art collection
