If there’s one thing for sure, it’s that Pakistanis love truck art. The style of painting has become synonymous with Pakistan and is part of its prized cultural heritage. From intricately painted khussas to colourful tableware, truck art is everywhere in the country, and for good reason. Now, there’s a new addition to the list, with Nike sneakers being given the iconic colourful twist by local artist Haider Ali, and his creations have been a hit on social media so far.
Ali paints the familiar motifs of flowers and kohl-rimmed eyes over the shoes, and with fans of the artist’s work asking where they can get their hands on a pair to users questioning why his creations have not been given the chance to be a part of Dubai expo, Twitter users are in unanimous agreement over Ali’s talent.
The picture of the shoes was shared by a Twitter profile showcasing the various wonders of Pakistan’s vibrant cultural landscape.
Ali previously made headlines after he honoured George Floyd and the Black Lives Matter movement with a stunning mural in June 2020. “Hum kaaley hain tou kia hua, dil waley hain (So what if we’re dark-skinned? We’ve got big hearts),” reads the mural. It also features another saying that goes, “Goron ki na kaalon ki, Dunya dil walon ki’ (This world belongs neither to whites or blacks, only for those with big hearts).”
According to Ali, the starry night background symbolises the importance of the colour black itself. The black of the night enables us to see the star and every artist knows the all-around importance of black in the universe.
