GHARO, SINDH: Stunning hand-painted trucks emerge from wheat fields in a small village of Thatta district on the coast of Sindh. But they are not there to transport the region’s bumper crops to the nearest market.
Decorated with the utmost craftsmanship by 50-year-old Shahnawaz Baloch, the miniature trucks have been unnoticed for the past two decades, despite the village’s proximity to the megacity of Karachi and its bustling art galleries.
Shahnawaz Baloch's miniature trucks are seen at his home in Udasi village, Thatta district on Jan. 1, 2020. (AN photo)
“Making a truck takes five to six months, as I can do it only in my spare time,” Baloch told Arab News.
The wooden body of Shahnawaz Baloch's miniature truck stands on a table in front of his house in Udasi village, Thatta district on Jan. 1, 2020. When it is assembled, the artist will decorate it with intricate patterns. (AN photo)
When he does not have to go to the field, Baloch picks up his tools, places a photo of a truck in front of him, draws its shape onto a block of wood, and carefully cuts the outline with a chisel. When the vehicle’s body is ready, he covers it with intricate patterns and designs that are nothing short of truck art masterpieces.
“I have no teacher, I developed this hobby gradually. I was sitting at home and thought why shouldn’t I make a vehicle? Then I took a block of wood and shaped it with a chisel. First, I made a car, then a jeep, and then made a truck and a tractor,” Baloch said, adding that he also has a boat in his collection. “Now, I’m working on a cargo vehicle.”
Minitrucks are parked in the backyard of farmer-artist Shahnawaz Baloch's house in Udasi village, Thatta district on Jan. 1, 2020. (AN photo)
The self-taught artist believes everyone has some creative instinct and all he or she needs to do is to give it a try. “My father says that we all have a talent which utilized in our free time can create wonderful things,” said Baloch’s son, Shehzada Sheeraz, expressing hope that one day his father’s art would receive recognition.
Shahnawaz Baloch's miniature truck is seen at his home in Udasi village, Thatta district on Jan. 1, 2020. (AN photo)
As the son showed Baloch’s truck art designs – the Kaaba, the Prophet’s Mosque – the artist himself admitted he would like to present it to the world. Sometimes it happens that people see his work, express appreciation, “but everything stops there,” and the miniature trucks remain hidden amid the fields of wheat in Udasi village.
