‘Black Girl Essex: Here We Come, Look We Here’ is a film and appliqué flag by British African-Caribbean conceptual artist and activist, Elsa James – culminating from a four-month residency at Firstsite for ‘Super Black’, an Arts Council Collection National Partners Programme exhibition.

The title of the work is intended to turn the historically ‘white’ stereotype of the Essex girl, which characterises women from Essex as unintelligent, promiscuous and materialistic, on its head. It centres the implications of identity, place and conflict for black folks living in Essex. Specifically, it aims to disrupt the existing narratives. By giving a platform to these black voices, the work attempts to form new understandings of blackness viewed through a contemporary Essex lens.

Upcoming online talk with Elsa James

Join Elsa James in conversation with Sepake Angiama and Dr. Jon Blackwood, where they will explore her artworks ‘Black Girl Essex: Here We Come, Look We Here’ and ‘The Black Essex Flag’, with a focus on her compulsion to disrupt the white Essex narrative. 

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Credits:
Directed, photographed and edited by Andy Delaney. Discussion interview edit by Elsa James. With Graham Tobias: Camera Assistant and Gaffer; Mak Gilchrist: Director’s Assistant; Storm Thompson: Assistant to Elsa James; Louis Gaston: Sound Engineer; Adrian Seery; Colourist; Ed Hall: New Essex Flag for film; Symone William: Carnival Costume Designer and Ian Matthews: Music Consultant.

The film was funded through an Arts Council National Lottery Projects Grants and Firstsite, with special thanks to the Port of Tilbury.