In the years after World War-I, trucks were made available to common men for the transportation of goods and fuel in India. This created a need for distinction and pride of ownership, which gave away an extravagant, diverse and aesthetic form of art called the Truck Art.

The heavily painted and ornamented trucks represent an artform that transforms the dusty, long and risky highways into a colorful exhibition of the unique talent of the truck artist and mood elevating driver’s sentiments towards his vehicle. Indian trucks are merely a form of expression to the truck driver and the artist. Use of loud colors and forms makes the vehicle a visual treat for the eyes. Being away from home for months, the driver develops an overpowering affinity towards his truck. Thus it becomes his pseudo wife and home.A symbiotic relation can be seen between the forms/typography and the old fort architecture of Mumbai (1920-1930). The building renderings in wood can easily remind one of the truck art’s way of 3D renderings, lettering and distinct drop shadow types.

After industrialization, this artform has constantly been depleting. A lot of big transport companies came into picture which led to this artform fade away in many ways. The ban on animal hair brushes, bold brush strokes got replaced with stickers and spray paints which costs relatively less.

So, this print is made keeping the unique identifying features of the truck art intact and portrayed it as a ornamented bride/pseudo wife. The aim is to throw light on this beautiful relapsed artform which accepts, celebrates and takes pride in our culture.

Ideation-

 
Exploring the different characteristics an ornamented truck in south Asia has. The distinct forms and shapes holds a certain meaning or connotations. The bold use of colors and brush strokes brings out the feelings of the artist and gives character to a truck.

Print and Colour ways-

The idea was to make an engineered print that combines the different elements together and follows language. A set of forms, experimental colors and highlights were used to strike an aesthetic balance within the print.

Size- 18 x 18 (inches)Technique- Screen print (4 screens + Base color)

Silhouettes-

Illustrative representations of the print and visualizing the possibilities on different fabric types.  

Print Scale-

An engineered print shirt where the placement of the print is decided /calculated before stitching the garment.

Engineered coordinate print inspired from the hand-carved 3D architectural woodcuts that are used to ornament an Indian truck.
A sheer printed layer is stitched on top to enhance the 3-Dimensional factor and makes the print interactive.

- A compilation of Colour Ways depicting the mood

6 weeks, Academic project (2020)
Guide- Sanvri Handa