Dennis Ndlovu I Zim GBC News| Arts and Entertainment reporter
From the dusty paths of Lower Gwelo to the prestigious halls of the National Gallery of Zimbabwe, Descent Nyoni is painting a bridge between the past and the future.
What began as a childhood passion in Grade 3 has evolved into a profound cultural mission; documenting the African way of living before it is swallowed by modernity.
Descent Nyoni, who grew up in the rural parts of Lower Gwelo, says his passion for art began when he was still a child in primary school.
25 year old visual artist said he first discovered his love for drawing in Grade three while attending school in the rural community where he was raised.
“I grew up in the rural areas of Lower Gwelo and did both my primary and secondary education there,” he said.
“I started loving drawing when I was in Grade Three, but at that time I never thought that art could be a full-time career.”
His perspective changed in 2018 when he met artist and mentor Keith Zenda, who introduced him to the possibilities of building a professional career in the arts.
Nyoni said hearing about Zenda’s journey inspired him to take painting seriously.
“He started telling us about his art journey and I got inspired,” Nyoni said.
“That is when I started enjoying the process more and began focusing on painting.”
According to Nyoni, his first attempt at painting exceeded his expectations and motivated him to continue developing his craft.
His growing confidence eventually led him to hold his first exhibition in Bulawayo in 2021, a milestone that later opened the door to his first solo exhibition at The Franchise.
Nyoni said the journey also introduced him to a network of fellow creatives who helped shape his artistic direction.
“I met different artists along the way. Some helped me with ideas, while others influenced my own style,” he said.
In a bid to further develop his skills, Nyoni enrolled at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe School of Visual Arts and Design, where he received formal training in art and design.
He completed his studies and obtained a certificate in 2023.
Despite his progress, Nyoni says artists still face several challenges, particularly the high cost and limited availability of materials.
“Every artist faces challenges, and materials can sometimes be difficult to access,” he said.
Much of Nyoni’s work focuses on depicting African traditions and the everyday experiences of rural life, themes he believes are gradually disappearing as societies modernise.
He said his paintings are inspired by the way people once lived, including traditional homesteads, daily chores and communal lifestyles.
“Most of my artworks represent our culture and the way people used to live long ago,” Nyoni said.
“The African way of living is slowly being taken away by the modern world.”
Nyoni believes future generations risk losing connection with their heritage if cultural practices are not documented and shared.
“In some years to come our children might never know what a hut is,” he said.
“They might never understand how people used to fetch firewood or live in the rural communities because they will be living a different life.”
Through his paintings, Nyoni hopes to preserve those memories and pass them on to younger generations.
“So I decided to put our African lifestyle on canvas so that we can show it and teach our youngsters,” he said.
His artworks, often rich in colour and detail, serve not only as creative expression but also as visual storytelling of Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage.
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