Firstsite, Essex: Super Black Exhibition Opens with Caribbean Food & Music

Following historian David Olusoga’s ‘Blackness, Britishness and the Windrush Generation’ talk, Firstsite launches Super Black, a new exhibition which poses the question: ‘What does it mean to be black in England today?’

The first of a new series of National Partners Programme exhibitions with the Arts Council Collection artscouncilcollection.org.uk, Super Black will feature 19 pieces, including photography and video with new artwork by Southend-based artist, producer, activist and co-curator Elsa James, which she is currently producing during her residency.

Elsa James was the first artist to exhibit in Firstsite’s ‘Living Room’ from June to September this year with Black Girl Essex. Her multi-disciplinary work deals with how people of African Caribbean heritage are regarded in the UK and the stereotyping of Essex women. The title of the exhibition references a comment made to Elsa James’ daughter that because she lived in Essex she wasn’t “black enough.”

Super Black is also co-curated by Lawrence Walker, Chair of Black History Month Colchester, Rachel Walton, co-founder of African Families in the UK (AFiUK), and Simone McLean and Yasmin Carr, of S&S Caribbean Café in Colchester.

The opening includes free entertainment and food from S&S Caribbean Café, from 7pm to 9pm.

* Super Black runs at Firstsite until 12 January 2020