Rodrigo Armando Mabunda began working at the age of 15, while still studying—studies he eventually did not complete. To support himself, he took on various odd jobs, including working as a market vendor and mechanic. Entirely self-taught, he initially explored drawing on A4 sheets before gradually discovering his preferred medium: cardboard packaging, which became central to his artistic practice.
Originally from Mozambique, Mabunda develops dense, hand-drawn compositions using ballpoint pen. His works form intricate, often chaotic visual narratives in which bodies appear to vibrate, overlap, and twist within tightly structured, almost hypnotic spaces. These drawings function as reflections on the social and political realities of his country, translating lived experience into layered visual storytelling.
He describes himself as “a dreamer of the streets,” emphasizing his role as a wandering observer who gathers impressions, stories, and fragments of urban life. These collected experiences are then reworked into compositions that blend imagination and social commentary, turning everyday realities into expressive, symbolic drawings.
