A Pakistani-origin artist has brought the vibrant tradition of Pakistani truck art to a custom logo created for the San Jose Sharks, highlighting South Asian culture through one of Pakistan’s most recognizable folk art styles.
The design was created by Bay Area multidisciplinary artist Muneeba Zeeshan as part of the team’s South Asian Culture Celebration at SAP Center in San Jose.
Zeeshan, who is from San Jose and has roots in Pakistan, said she has been passionate about painting since childhood and has spent years exploring different colors and artistic techniques. When she was approached to create the design, she began thinking about how to combine the Sharks’ identity with elements from her cultural heritage.
Drawing inspiration from her Pakistani background, Zeeshan used traditional Pakistani truck art as the central theme of the design.
Truck art is widely known for decorating trucks, buses, and other commercial vehicles across Pakistan with bright colors and intricate patterns, turning everyday transportation into moving works of art.
The design incorporates key elements of Pakistani truck art, including floral patterns, birds, and vibrant decorative motifs. The main crest features a shark illustrated in bright teal tones, surrounded by intricate truck-art inspired patterns.
The shoulder patch design is inspired by the decorated trucks seen across Pakistan, featuring a stylized truck adorned with colorful floral patterns and ornamental details.
Several symbolic elements from South Asian art are also included. A crescent adds balance to the composition while symbolizing protection and blessings.
Stylized peacocks represent beauty and pride, while roses and other floral patterns symbolize love, growth, prosperity, and spiritual devotion, themes often found in South Asian and Sufi artistic traditions.
The custom artwork was displayed throughout SAP Center and along Barack Obama Boulevard, across from the arena’s Lot D, welcoming fans during the cultural celebration.
Zeeshan said sharing her art with the Sharks and the wider community was a meaningful experience and described the opportunity as both humbling and an honor.
By incorporating Pakistani truck art into the design, the project showcased a colorful piece of Pakistani cultural heritage on an international sports platform while celebrating the diversity of the Bay Area’s South Asian community.
