Willard Magiga’s prolific and rare talent comes fully into view when one steps into the inspiring space of Zenda ArtGal Zim in Domboshava.
Set among granite outcrops and rich ancestral echoes, the gallery provides the perfect setting for Magiga’s work, which opens a deep dialogue between humanity and nature. His art spans expressive human figures, powerful wildlife imagery and symbolic storytelling, with each piece rooted in personality, identity and behaviour drawn from the natural world.
One of his most striking recent bodies of work is The Human Big Five, an imaginative acrylic-on-canvas series that boldly reinterprets Africa’s iconic wildlife. The collection portrays five sharply dressed executives clad in suits, each crowned with a totemic animal head — buffalo, lion, elephant, rhino and cheetah.
The result is a compelling fusion of modern ambition and ancestral symbolism.
“These images are meant to lift the beauty of the Big Five animals, while allowing people to take pride in their totems, especially those who identify with the buffalo, lion, elephant, rhino or cheetah,” Magiga said.
The series invites viewers to reflect on how animal traits quietly shape human leadership, behaviour and social presence. The buffalo, often feared for its unpredictable aggression, is equally admired for loyalty and unity — traits reflected in steadfast leaders who protect their own.
The lion, regal and commanding, embodies courage, confidence and authority, yet is revered for its protective instincts. Notably, the National Arts Merit Awards’ 24th edition theme centres on the figure of the lion under the banner Fearless Creativity.
The elephant symbolises wisdom, memory and emotional intelligence, feared for its sheer power but cherished for its gentleness and family bonds.
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The rhino, solitary and formidable, represents resilience and quiet strength, while the cheetah's sleek and swift agility captures elegance, focus and strategic precision, admired for speed but feared for deadly efficiency.
Beyond symbolism, Magiga’s journey underscores the importance of shaping creative passion into a sustainable career.
Zenda ArtGal Zim stands as a living example of how mentorship, structured training and exposure can transform raw talent into professional artistry.
Under the guidance of Keith Zenda, Magiga honed both technical skill and conceptual depth, learning that creativity flourishes best when disciplined and nurtured.
“I am grateful to Keith Zenda, who took me through the paces of painting and drawing. Being among the first beneficiaries of the Zenda ArtGal Zim training sessions has given me confidence to grow in the industry while refining my artisanship,” Magiga said.
Equally central to Magiga’s vision is tourism. Through evocative drawings of Domboshava’s landscapes, the Big Five and Zimbabwe’s cultural heritage, he seeks to lure both local and international visitors. His art becomes a visual invitation and one that markets Zimbabwe not through brochures, but through emotion, story and pride.
In Magiga’s hands, canvas becomes conversation and creativity becomes both livelihood and legacy.
