Vadu Rodrigues

rodr1199@msu.edu

Graduate Student

Biography

Vadu Rodrigues is an installation artist who uses photography, videography accompanied by cultural objects such as fishing nets and tools. Rodrigues believes one of their purposes in life as an African artist-activist is to create art that contributes positively to redefining the representation of the narratives of the African continent and Black diaspora. Through their ongoing project #PositiveAfrica, they hope to use their  artwork as a way to create a positive impact on the world. Art can be a powerful tool for social change and they are committed to the idea of using their artistic expression to amplify their voice and reach out to like-minded people who want to help build a more inclusive society. Rodrigues is from Praia, Cabo Verde his undergraduate degree is in Computer Science and Engineering from the University of Madeira in Portugal.

University News

MFA Candidate Uses Art to Create Positive Africa Movement, Challenging Negative Perceptions of the Continent and Black Diaspora
Published February 11, 2025 in College of Arts & Letters
As an artist-activist, Vadu Rodrigues came to Michigan State University from his native Cape Verde with a desire to not only hone his skills as a graduate student in the MFA in Studio Art program…Read now »