Join Essex artist Elsa James in examining the heart of Britain’s colonial past and its lasting impact on Black life today.

This bold and unflinching exhibition challenges what we think we know, sparking new conversations about the psychological effects of transatlantic enslavement while honouring the resilience and strength Black communities have historically demonstrated.

“The show explores the rupture, erasure, and fragmentation of histories that shape Black life in the diaspora, inviting moments of understanding, healing, and community connection.”- Elsa James

What to expect

Experience a provocative mix of new work from renowned British African-Caribbean interdisciplinary artist Elsa James in her first major solo exhibition at Firstsite, featuring photography, neon, screen print and sound.

The works confront Britain’s “national amnesia” regarding its role in the transatlantic trafficking of enslaved African people and the colonial legacies that followed, offering a deeply moving and immersive experience.

Discover large-scale photographic pieces inspired by Christina Sharpe’s notion of how the slave ship marks and haunts contemporary Black life today.

Through her compelling response to the diaries of an 18th-century British plantation overseer and enslaver, uncover lesser-known facts from the nation’s colonial archives.

Elsa’s journey at Firstsite

This show is Elsa’s first solo exhibition at Firstsite, which has supported her practice’s development for the last 6 years.

In 2019, Elsa became the first artist to exhibit and work within our ‘Living Room’ as part of her Black Girl Essex residency. During this time, she used the space to develop her artwork, engaging in open discussions with Black communities in Colchester and Essex.

She also participated in our Super Black exhibition in 2019/2020, a project led by members of Essex’s Black community. In 2023, Elsa was awarded the Firstsite Collectors’ Group Bursary Award, further strengthening our ongoing collaboration.

About the artist

Elsa James is a British African-Caribbean interdisciplinary, research-based artist and activist. She grew up in London and has lived and worked in Essex since 1999.

In 2024, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Essex in recognition of her work from 2018 to 2022, exploring the Essex identity and advocating for the overlooked and misunderstood aspects of the county’s past and present.

Her work is held in private and public collections, including the UK Government Art Collection and Beecroft Art Gallery, where she became the first Black British artist to be acquired for the gallery’s collection. In 2022, she was named one of the 50 Most Influential People in Essex.

Click here to find out more about Elsa James

The exhibition has been made possible with the support of Arts Council England, the Royal College of Art and Trevor Fenwick.