The Material Scientist of Contemporary Art: Zibusiso Tshuma

Zibusiso Tshuma is a full-time contemporary visual artist whose work captivates audiences with its technical brilliance, emotive depth and powerful environmental message. Born in Mapisa and now based in Gwanda, Zimbabwe, Zibusiso discovered his passion for art as a young child, drawing from creche days to exploring illustrations at his father’s workplace. Early recognition of his talent set him on a path of relentless creativity.

Remarkably self-taught, Zibusiso has cultivated a practice that fuses scientific knowledge with artistic innovation. Drawing on chemistry and the alchemy of metals, he transforms discarded materials, especially aluminum cans, into striking works of art. This process not only showcases his technical mastery but also delivers a vital message about recycling and environmental preservation. In his hands, trash becomes “gold,” reflecting both the gold-mining culture of his hometown, Gwandna and his commitment to sustainability.

Zibusiso has had the priviledge of showcasing his work at the National Arts Gallery in Bulawayo, He has exhibited a portrait of Hugh Masekela alongside other pieces. His exhibitions received high praise and confirmed his excellence in fine arts. He actively shares his creations on Instagram, where his art has attracted international attention; one portrait drew a commission from outside Zimbabwe for display at a client’s wedding. His favorite art piece remains his first painting of his mother, which he has since redone, refining his skills and deepening his personal connection to his craft. He also painted a portrait of Eric Moyo from Joyous Celebration, which was so well-received that Moyo offered a thank-you reward, despite the original promise that the piece would be a gift.

Beyond recycling aluminum cans and metals, Zibusiso works with painting and mixed media. He spent close to two years developing this new medium before returning to exhibitions and he has recently been exhibiting exclusively with Bepa Gallery. His work was also featured at the Cheuka Art Fair, the first of its kind in Zimbabwe, where his pieces received widespread praise and sold out. His style blends conceptual, abstract and experimental elements, reflecting a deep engagement with both material innovation and environmental themes.

Zibusiso is currently working on an ongoing series titled “All That Glitters Is Gold.” Inspired by his upbringing in a gold-mining town, the series transforms discarded aluminum cans into art that mimics the golden hues of real gold. By burning cans into different shades and weaving them with copper wires, he creates intricate patterns influenced by his cultural heritage, including Ndebele mats. The series embodies his experimental, almost scientific approach, treating discarded metals as materials for alchemical transformation. His landscapes and environmental works within this series highlight the beauty of nature while repurposing pollutants, encouraging viewers to see value in what is often overlooked and to engage in environmental preservation.

Zibusiso is represented by Bepa Gallery, a new and dynamic gallery based on Instagram with no physical space yet, staging exhibitions in various locations. He also shares his portfolio and creative journey on his own Instagram account, @Zietheartist. To fully appreciate the layers of meaning behind his different pieces, please visit his Instagram page.

His studio operates like a laboratory, where metals and materials are experimented upon, transformed and elevated into meaningful pieces. Landscapes, environmental themes and conceptual works populate his portfolio, each carrying a profound narrative about nature, value and human impact.

Zibusiso Tshuma is not just an artist, he is a visionary alchemist of materials, a champion of environmental consciousness and a transformative creative force in Zimbabwean contemporary art.