Culture Talk

jeepney art is real art, not just decoration

In Philippines we have jeepney. After the war, people make them from old US army jeep. Then the owners paint them, chrome horse on the front, names of the family, saints, sometimes cartoon.

I teach before, I tell students: this is folk art, like painted boats or trucks in other countries. Each one is different. Each one tell a story of the owner.

Now many old jeepneys are being replaced with new modern ones that look the same. I understand, old ones make smoke. But I am sad. I think a museum should save some, with the paintings.

Other country have this? Painted buses, trucks?