Nigerian author Eloghosa Osunde has unveiled personalized merchandise to commemorate the two-year anniversary of their debut novel, Vagabonds!
Vagabonds!, released in 2022, is a compilation of short stories by the author that explore topics such as the patriarchy, corruption, and LGBTQ life in Nigeria.
Osunde announced via Instagram that several months ago, they collaborated with artist Mercy Thokozane Minah to create 20 original art pieces for Vagabonds! merchandise. This collection includes a variety of items such as tote bags, prints, t-shirts, hoodies, postcards, and more.
In Osunde’s words:
“This process unfurled over two incredible months, its execution amplifying the fabric of the storyworld one piece at a time. We had so much fun with it, and now as a result of this collab with @iamafreedom you can carry scenes with you in forms beyond the book. Think: totes, prints (metal, canvas, paper), t-shirts, hoodies, phone cases, postcards, stickers, scarves, jigsaw puzzles, etc. If you can see it behind your eyes, it’s likely possible. Just ask.”
Expressing their long-standing desire to create this merchandise, Osunde added that they are thrilled to see it come to fruition. To mark the occasion, Osunde conducted a small Instagram giveaway for three readers in Nigeria to receive free tote bags.
Eloghosa Osunde, a Nigerian writer and multidisciplinary artist, achieved critical acclaim with their debut novel Vagabonds! published in 2022 by Riverhead Books (US), Fourth Estate (UK), and Farafina Books (NG). The novel garnered numerous awards and accolades, including the New York Times’ Editors Choice, MoAD’s African Literary Award (2023), the Plimpton Prize for Fiction (2021), and an ASME Award for Fiction (2022). Osunde, a 2020 MacDowell Colony Fellow, has also been recognized for their literary contributions, serving as the 2021 prose judge of Fugue Journal’s annual writing contest. Their work has received acclaim from publications such as the Los Angeles Times, Wall Street Journal, and the New Yorker, solidifying their status as a rising star in the literary world.
To pre-order the merchandise and explore more about the project, visit @vagabondstheworld on Instagram for additional information.
Congratulations to Eloghosa Osunde and the Vagabonds! Team!
See some merch photos below:
