Trucks and Tuks: Decorated Vehicles Of South asia

A colourful photography book on this visually stunning vernacular artform, the images painted onto these trucks and tuks are a phenomenon, giving a unique insight into the rich cultural traditions of the Indian subcontinent.

White stallions and exotic birds frolic around a waterfall, glamorous Bollywood stars sing, a sunset-silhouetted couple bathe in the ocean – such are the images that adorn the trucks and tuks of the Indian subcontinent. These utilitarian vehicles provide a fertile canvas for the vernacular artists whose colour-saturated creativity covers every spare surface.

Over four years, photographer Christopher Herwig (author of the Soviet Bus Stops series and Soviet Metro Stations) travelled 10,000 kilometres in his quest to record this overlooked artform. He has documented the characteristics of each region – from Pakistan in the north, where intricately painted trucks often have a curved wooden peak at the front, symbolizing a princess’ tiara; to Sri Lanka in the south, where tuk tuks might equally be painted with holy deities or the Joker from Batman.

The designs reflect a driver’s identity, faith and aspirations and span a bewildering range of themes: ideals of masculinity might be intertwined with expressions of love and longing, while bold typography urges drivers to blow their horns or promotes a campaign for the education of girls.

Sadly, as a result of government directives, alongside the proliferation of cheap, mass-produced decorations, this vibrant cultural expression is in decline, making this project all the more vital.