Qatar Museums (QM) is proud to welcome Urban Truck Art Collective, renowned for their dynamic and colourful artistry from Karachi, Pakistan, to bring their iconic craftsmanship to Doha. As part of the future Art Mill Museum’s MANZAR: Art and Architecture from Pakistan 1940s to Today exhibition, this exciting live art project invites visitors to experience and get inspired by the transformation of a truck into a vibrant, intricate masterpiece.
From 1 December to 16 December2024, artists will be painting and decorating the truck at the National Museum of Qatar’s (NMoQ) Drop-off Area. 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.
This live-painting initiative complements MANZAR: Art and Architecture from Pakistan 1940s to Today, which is on view until 31 January 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 over 200 works, including commissioned pieces by contemporary artists and architects, offering visitors 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 MANZAR: Art and Architecture from Pakistan 1940s to Today said, "This live-painting experience is centred around connecting people with art and popular culture and is directly connected to the subjects and influences in the MANZAR exhibition. Urban Truck Art is literally bringing to life this month 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, generously provided by Seashore with support from Qatar Auto Museum, will be fully adorned with vibrant and colourful designs inspired by Pakistan’s heritage. Visitors can watch the artists in action, interact with them, and gain a deeper insight into this vibrant and evolving art form. The painting process highlights the skill, creativity, and cultural significance behind each design, illustrating the powerful connection between art and storytelling.
Public Art Planning Specialist, Dimitrije Bugarski, also commented that “We are incredibly excited about this collaboration. Art is powerful when it bridges cultures and opens new ways of thinking. 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 impressive truck will remain on display at NMoQ until the spring, continuing to inspire and captivate visitors long after the painting process concludes.
Additionally, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Seashore Group, Saqr Saeed Al Mohannadi, stated, “We, at Seashore Group, are proud to support the cultural and artistic initiatives led by Qatar Museums. We believe in the pivotal role of art and culture as part of the development of the State of Qatar. We are also committed to sponsoring events and activities that enrich our community. 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, organised by Public Art at Qatar Museums and Art Mill Museum. This unique event is designed for the Desi youth community and will take place in NMoQ. 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 15 December, as participants paint their creations alongside the Urban Truck Art Collective.
For more information about the project and to learn more about Urban Truck Art, visit https://urbantruckart.com.
To know more about MANZAR: Art and Architecture from Pakistan 1940s to Today exhibition, visit https://nmoq.org.qa/en/calendar/manzar-exhibition/
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About Qatar Museums
Qatar Museums (QM), the nation’s preeminent institution for art and culture, provides authentic and inspiring cultural experiences through a growing network of museums, heritage sites, festivals, public art installations, and programmes. QM preserves and expands the nation’s cultural offerings, sharing art and culture from Qatar, the Middle East, North Africa, and South Asia (MENASA) with the world and enriching the lives of citizens, residents, and visitors.
Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and led by its Chairperson, Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, QM has made Qatar a vibrant centre for the arts, culture, and education in the Middle East and beyond. QM is integral to the goal of developing an innovative, diverse, and progressive nation, bringing people together to ignite new thinking, spark critical cultural conversations, and amplify the voices of Qatar’s people. Since its founding in 2005, QM has overseen the development of museums and festivals including the Museum of Islamic Art (MIA) and MIA Park, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), 3-2-1 Qatar Olympic and Sports Museum, QM Gallery Al Riwaq, QM Gallery Katara, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, and Design Doha. Future projects include Dadu: Children’s Museum of Qatar, Art Mill Museum, Qatar Auto Museum and the Lusail Museum.
Through its newly created Creative Hub, QM also initiates and supports projects—such as the Fire Station Artist in Residence, the Tasweer Qatar Photo Festival, M7, the creative hub for innovation, fashion and design, and Liwan Design Studios and Labs—that nurture artistic talent and create opportunities to build a strong and sustainable cultural infrastructure.
Animating everything that Qatar Museums does is an authentic connection to Qatar and its heritage, a steadfast commitment to inclusivity and accessibility, and a belief in creating value through invention.
About Public Art
Qatar Museums' extensive programme of public art demonstrates its commitment to bringing art directly to the people and expanding everyone's creative horizons. Highlights of the public artworks on view, which enrich the lives of all citizens, include the neon installation A Blessing in Disguise by Ghada Al Khater at the Fire Station: Artists in Residence; Smoke, a sculpture by Tony Smith at the Doha Exhibition & Convention Centre; East-West/West-East, a monumental sculpture in the heart of the Qatar desert by Richard Serra; Gandhi's Three Monkeys by Subodh Gupta at Katara Cultural Village; and Maman, a sculpture by Louise Bourgeois in the form of a giant steel spider at the Qatar National Convention Centre, Qatar Foundation. QM also collaborates with the Hamad International Airport (HIA), where major artworks created by local, regional, and international artists—including Adel Abdessemed, Ahmed Al Bahrani, Dia al-Azzawi, Mubarak Al Malik, Salman Al-Malik, Amal Al Rabban, Tom Claassen, Urs Fischer, Ali Hassan, KAWS, Tom Otterness, and Bill Viola—can be seen. QM also supports a variety of initiatives that aim to engage with contemporary artists in Qatar, an ”Annual Intervention” open call inviting artists to propose a permanent placemaking public artwork; the “Temporary Public Art” open call, inviting early-career artists; i.e students and alumni recently graduated to create a temporary public artwork to be placed in Liwan Design Studios and Labs; and JEDARIART, an annual programme activating the city walls bringing together artists through murals to enrich daily life and encourage the community to reflect on social, historical, and cultural issues. Each year, the public art program also presents World Wide Walls: Doha, a week-long mural festival exclusive to the MENA region. Architect Abdulrahman Ahmed Al-Ishaq serves as Director of QM's Public Art department.
About Art Mill Museum
Opening in 2030, the Art Mill Museum will be Qatar’s museum of international modern and contemporary art. The venue will house an international collection from 1850 to the present and display works from across creative disciplines including painting, sculpture, photography, architecture, design, films, fashion, and crafts. The Museum will represent the modern and contemporary arts of all regions of the globe on an equal basis, engaging local and international audiences through multiple narratives. Catherine Grenier serves as the Director of Concept.
About Qatar Auto Museum
Conceived at the end of the oil age, the Qatar Auto Museum will be an engine that drives design, research, inspiration, and innovation in new forms of mobility. The Museum aims to bring together enthusiasts, collectors, designers, policymakers, students, and engineers with permanent and temporary exhibitions and global events to learn about the history of the car and shape the ways we will move in the future. Through its partnerships with educational and tourism sectors, car manufacturers, and community organizations, the Qatar Auto Museum will instigate collaborative investment in the creative economy. Dr. Alkindi Aljawabra serves as director.
About Seashore Group
The Seashore Group, with its diverse activities and aspirations for leadership and excellence, is dedicated to building an advanced and sustainable society in line with Qatar's National Vision 2030. It places a strong emphasis on social responsibility and has invested in purposeful initiatives that have contributed to community development.
Media Contact
Mohammed Khamis Al Abdulla — Qatar Museums
Varsha Eriyari — Qatar Museums