Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
AS Zimbabwe celebrates Cultural Week and Heritage Month, 22-year-old self-taught artist Iky Rupiya stands as a shining example of how creativity can preserve, reflect and celebrate identity.
With no formal art training, Iky has carved a niche on the local art scene through emotionally charged and realistic artworks that mirror the essence of everyday Zimbabwean life.
Born on November 4, 2003, his journey into the arts began not in a classroom, but from a place of personal disappointment after failing his Ordinary Level examinations in 2021.
“What started as a fun way to escape my struggles soon grew into something bigger, passion and a purpose,” said Iky.
“I never studied art in school. I thought I would follow in my father’s footsteps and become a footballer. He’s a former Dynamos FC player. But life took a different turn, and I am glad it did.”
Now in his final year at the National Gallery of Zimbabwe School of Visual Arts and Design, Iky uses paint, coloured pencils to create pieces that express both his emotions and the world around him. He is especially drawn to painting wildlife, a genre deeply tied to Zimbabwe’s natural and cultural heritage.
“I am more into realism. I reflect on what I see daily: our animals, our people, and our spirit as Zimbabweans,” he said.
“It’s a way of recording history and showing the beauty of what God has made.”
In line with the spirit of Cultural Week, Iky believes that every piece of art is a cultural statement.
“Art is self-expression, but it’s also about identity. When I paint, I’m telling my story and the story of where I come from,” he said.
He also sees art as a tool for empowerment and independence in a society where traditional career paths are often prioritised.
“Youths shouldn’t let society dictate their future. I didn’t pass my exams, but I found a path that defined me. Art can be that path for many others too,” he said.
As the nation reflects on its cultural roots this month, Iky’s message is that heritage is not just preserved through rituals and language, it lives through the arts.
“Everyone is an artist in their own right. A chef, a carpenter, a dancer, we all contribute to the heritage of our country in different ways. What we create is what we leave behind.
”Iky’s dream is to one day exhibit at the Brooklyn Museum of Art in New York and showcase Zimbabwean talent to the world.”
In the next five years, he hopes to exhibit at least 10 international galleries. As Cultural Week encourages Zimbabweans to embrace and celebrate who they are, Iky Rupiya’s story serves as a powerful reminder that heritage is not just what we inherit, it is also what we create.
