A BULAWAYO based entrepreneur has stepped into uncharted artistic territory, claiming accreditation in life-size hyper-realistic human sculpture after training in China, an achievement that could reshape expectations of public art at home.
Marshal Chiza says he has become Zimbabwe’s first accredited life-size realistic human sculptor following specialised training in China, where he completed three full-scale human figure pieces.
The accreditation, issued by a Chinese training company, comes after what Chiza describes as an intensive programme focused on anatomical precision and lifelike detail.
The development highlights growing cross-border collaboration in Zimbabwe’s creative sector.
Chiza, who is also known for his business ventures through the Billionaire Drilling Group, said the milestone reflects both personal ambition and broader national potential.
“I am proud of what this means in terms of raising Zimbabwe’s profile through art,” he said in an interview, adding that he hopes to contribute to higher production standards in local sculpture.
He confirmed that he is working on a life-size statue of President Emmerson Mnangagwa, a project he says aims to demonstrate international-quality workmanship in public monuments.
Zimbabwe has faced criticism in recent years over the quality and accuracy of some public statues, with debates often centring on artistic standards and representation.
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Chiza acknowledged these concerns, saying there is room for improvement in execution and realism.
“There is an opportunity to improve how we tell our stories through sculpture. The focus should be on accuracy, dignity and craftsmanship," he said.
Art experts say hyper-realistic sculpture remains a relatively niche field in Zimbabwe, with most practitioners working in more traditional or abstract styles.
Increased exposure to global techniques, particularly through training opportunities abroad, is seen as key to diversifying the sector.
Chiza’s move into fine art reflects a broader trend of Zimbabwean professionals branching into creative industries, blending entrepreneurship with artistic expression.
Analysts note that such cross-disciplinary approaches could help unlock new markets and elevate local talent onto the international stage.
If successful, his latest project could reignite discussion around public art standards and the role of realism in national monuments an issue that continues to draw public interest.
This come after government was last week forced to remove a controversial, "ugly" statue of the late liberation icon Joshua Nkomo in Maphisa, Matabeleland South, following a wave of public indignation.
The monument, which appeared mysteriously under the cover of night on April 15, was pulled down just as the region prepared for Independence Day celebrations.
Matabeleland South Provincial Affairs minister, Albert Nguluvhe, is said to have ordered its immediate removal.
The rejection of this statue mirrors a previous controversy in 2010, when a monument of Father Zimbabwe was pulled down in Bulawayo after his family and the public complained the pedestal did not capture his true attributes.
A proper statue was eventually unveiled at the intersection of Joshua Mqabuko Road in Bulawayo in 2013.
