Elsa James's exhibition at Firstsite, Colchester, features large images of her body on the floor, prompting viewers to confront uncomfortable histories related to the transatlantic slave trade. Titled 'Beyond the Hold', the artwork incorporates a cello soundscape, symbolically inviting viewers to engage with the suppressed narratives of enslaved Africans. By juxtaposing trauma with elements of resilience, James's work encourages a dialogue about Britain's historical accountability and challenges conventional narratives, making the experience both personal and political. Themes of survival and memory pervade the exhibition, underlining the importance of reclaiming silenced histories.
"It's not actually me, you're walking on the history that has been silenced. If you are forced to take off your shoes and walk on it, you have to pay more attention."
"I'm here because my ancestors survived that journey and the torture of plantation life. It's personal and political for me."
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