Artist who helped redefine Essex Girl given honorary degree

Conceptual artist and prominent activist Elsa James has been awarded an honorary degree by the University of Essex for her tireless work in redefining the term, Essex Girl.

Elsa was an integral part of the campaign to remove the derogatory definition of an ‘Essex Girl from the Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary after years of campaigning with the Essex Girl Liberation Front.

She has used her own exhibitions and work to further explore her identity as a black woman living in Essex and question existing cultural and societal views.

Elsa, who moved to Southend from London in 1999, has had her work displayed in regional and national galleries up and down the country, including at the Tate Modern.

Some of Elsa’s pieces are now held in private and public collections, including the Government Art Collection and Beecroft Art Gallery, where she holds the honour of being the first Black British artist to be acquired into the gallery's collection.

Johnathan White, Director of Library and Cultural Services at Essex, gave the oration for Elsa at summer graduation.

He said: “As an artist and activist, Elsa is inventive and creative. She champions the misunderstood and marginalised, making us think differently about the world.

“In many ways she is the perfect honorary graduate as she represents exactly what we try to achieve at this University.

“As a result, we are incredibly proud to welcome Elsa as a University of Essex honorary graduate.”

Such has been Elsa’s commitment and drive to challenge stereotypes and redefine the world we live in, she was named as one of the 50 most influential people in Essex in 2022.

Elsa said: “I am absolutely thrilled to receive this award, which marks a significant milestone in my artistic journey.

“This recognition is especially meaningful to me because it also acknowledges my very first body of work as a practising visual artist.”