Qatar Museums (QM) has welcomed Urban Truck Art Collective, renowned for their dynamic and colourful artistry from Karachi, Pakistan, bringing their iconic craftsmanship to Doha. As part of the future Art Mill Museum’s Manzar: Art and Architecture from Pakistan 1940s to Today exhibition, the live art project will see artists painting and decorating the truck at the National Museum of Qatar’s (NMoQ) Drop-off Area until December 16.
Supported by Seashore and Qatar Auto Museum, the live-painting experience offers the public a unique opportunity to watch the creative process in real-time, as the artists bring this extraordinary art form to life before their eyes, all while celebrating the colourful world of Pakistani truck art.
The live-painting initiative complements Manzar exhibition, on view until January 31, 2025, the first comprehensive exhibition in Qatar dedicated to exploring the artistic and architectural movements of Pakistan.
Organised by the future Art Mill Museum and presented at NMoQ, the exhibition features more than 200 works, including commissioned pieces by contemporary artists and architects, offering an immersive experience of Pakistan's rich cultural heritage. Caroline Hancock, Art Mill Museum senior curator of modern and contemporary art and co-curator of Mazar, said: “Urban Truck Art is bringing to life in Qatar a longstanding common practice of decoration in Pakistan on everyday modes of transportation, cooking utensils and other objects, or advertising.
“The inspiration is also embraced by artists in the exhibition in the galleries referencing the Urban Vernacular and what is often known as Karachi Pop from the 1990s onwards. This engaging project allows better understanding of the deep cultural stories behind the designs.”
The truck is provided by Seashore with support from Qatar Auto Museum. Public Art Planning specialist Dimitrije Bugarski said: “What makes this live-painting project so exciting is how it gives people the chance to see the creative process up close—watching a piece of art unfold in real-time brings a whole new level of engagement."
Once completed, the truck will remain on display at NMoQ until the spring. Seashore Group vice chairman Saqr Saeed al-Mohannadi, said: “Through our support for projects such as the Manzar exhibition and the Urban Truck Art event, we aim to celebrate creativity while reflecting our dedication to supporting cultural growth and Qatar’s vision for the future.”
Urban Truck Art will be holding a special workshop at NMoQ, organised by Public Art at Qatar Museums and Art Mill Museum. The workshop builds on its first phase, held at Liwan Design Studios and Labs - Clay Lab, under the guidance of Noora al-Melhim, where participants crafted clay tiles. These tiles will be brought to life during the second phase on December 15, as participants paint their creations alongside the Urban Truck Art Collective.
