We are delighted to announce the release of Agbowó’s second issue. This year’s issue is themed “Limits”. We called for submissions early in the year, hinting on various ways the theme could be interpreted but we were still pleasantly surprised by the broad range of interpretations we received. Nexuses between the theme and religion, psychology, sexuality, politics and more are explored. But not only the thematic concerns presented in this issue were diverse, the nationalities from which they were drawn, as well. This year, contributors are from 8 African countries – Mali, Nigeria, Uganda, Ghana, South Africa, DR Congo, Malawi, and Kenya, blurring the limits that separate African states by prose, verse and art.
The contributors for this year’s issue were Sarah Lubala, JK Anowe, Jonathan Durunguma, Akhona Mbange, Ernest Ogunyemi, Tokunboh Sangodoyin, Kofi Antwi, Penda Diakité, Kemi Falodun, Adedayo Agarau, Jarred Thompson, Eko Adetolani, Ifeanyi Michael, Wesley Macheso, Chrissie Chinebuah, David Adamu, Ebuka Prince Okoroafor, Erhu Kome Yellow, Dela Aniwa , Tolu Oloruntoba, Alex Nderitu, Edaki Timothy, Oyewole Bukunmi, Fatima Okhuosami, Sihle Ntuli, Ignatius Bambaiha, Ohimor Oghenerume Yinkore, Aaishah Mayet, Efua Traoré, Prudence Emudianughe and Damilola Onafuwa – a mix of new, emerging, but powerful voices and artistic verve. This issue also features an interview with visual artist Osaze Amadasun. Amadasun, in conversation with Agbowó’s Sheyi Owolabi, discusses his artistic origins, inspiration, process and filling what he perceived a critical visual gap in 16th century Benin art.
To dive right into the magic we promise this issue holds, read the Editor’s note here and download the issue.
Today also marks the second year of our operation and we have worked to grow beyond fostering just online communities but have moved to also animate physical communities. To this end, In January, we acquired the Ìbàdàn-based initiative “Arts and Chill” to function as our physical arm for the purpose of curating events that grow local communities of young literary and visual artists. Since then, we have hosted two successful themed events- Arts and Politics, moderated by the Nigerian short story writer ‘Bunmi Familoni and Arts and Mental health (in partnership with MANI) moderated by the poet Pamilerin Jacob. For July, we will play host to Dami Ajayi, who will facilitate a poetry workshop on the 20th for 20 participants and later, in an evening of poetry, read from his widely acclaimed collection, A Woman’s Body is a Country, which was recently shortlisted for the Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry,
This year, we are delighted to announce a new addition to our growing range of products. We are launching the Beta version of our Artshop, an African space for art commerce and Agbowó merch (which you should check out as soon as possible). The Artshop by Agbowó aims to be the leading online marketplace for paintings, sculpture, photographs and crafts by African artists and vendors. Oluwadarafunmi Olanrewaju has been appointed Director of this new arm of Agbowó and you should definitely check out her introduction to the Artshop by Agbowó.
The Editorial team of Agbowó is also pleased to announce a new schedule for reading and responding to your submissions. The new submission schedule will ensure that writers get prompt decisions about their work and provides for a complimentary compensation from our partners, The BookDealer. Read more about this here.
We invite you, again, to download, enjoy and share our Limits issue!