Pictures have a "visibility" property that is either True or False. I do not know how to set that property except by using VBA code. That is, I don't know how to do it using a formula in a cell. I have, however, used something that you may not have considered and does something similar to what you are looking at.
Assume your column of data is A1:A50. Format a matching length of column B as Windings 2. In cell B1 enter: =if(A1<>0,CHAR(243),"") and copy down to B50.
Now all the non-zero values will have a small star next to it. This image CHAR(243) is just one of many icons. You should be able to find something appropriate either in Wingdings, Wingdings2 or windings3. The easiest way to see the available icons and their CHAR values is to click on "insert symbols" on the Home ribbon.
I hope this helps.