Sarwar is a folk artist who paints trucks in Pakistan. Originally from Peshawar, a war-torn region near the Khyber Pass, he has been painting vehicles — and furniture — here in the U.S. recently, livening up Washington’s traffic jams. (Translation provided by Dipak K. Roy.) How did you learn to paint vehicles?
From my father, and on the job. I learned various techniques and designs as I went along and from observation. The art form originated in Afghanistan around 100 years ago. People there painted things like their furniture and painted their walls. Later they began painting vehicles and this kind of folk art, which we call “truck” or “bus” art spread all over Pakistan. I painted vehicles in Afghanistan, as well, in better days there.
Why paint a car?
In Pakistan, truck drivers have a hard life; they may spend weeks away from home. Their vehicles become a home away from home. They like to have them lavishly decorated. Creative and skilled painting and awe-inspiring designs give them pride in their vehicles. They compete with each other to see who has the best painted vehicles; one becomes more elaborately decorated than the next. Here, in the U.S., the motivation may be different. I’ve painted vehicles for two people with some connection to South Asia, and one for an artist who delights in the colors and designs.
How long does it take to paint an entire car?
In Pakistan, a large truck or bus can take a month to a month and a half. Smaller commercial vehicles might take 20 days. Here, I have painted smaller vehicles as I’ve mentioned. It will usually take 7-10 days for a personal vehicle or a van.
What’s your dream vehicle to paint? The presidential limo? A Metrobus? A Lamborghini?
I would love to paint a double-decker tourist bus in New York. I heard that a Pakistani artist painted one there.
-Kytja Weir
