Philippa James’ latest commission honours 50 years of women at Jesus College, Oxford

Sitters include current students, members of staff, academic fellows, and alumni. Each woman was selected by the College community for their distinct contributions, reflecting the institution’s ongoing transformation and progress over the last 50 years. 

Philippa said: “Five years ago, I created my first personal project, 100 Women of Oxford - a series of portraits of women living in this city of dreaming spires. This project marked the beginning of my journey into portraiture and the exploration of women’s stories. Now, it’s a profound honour to have been commissioned by Oxford University to photograph women connected to this world-renowned institution, celebrating 50 years of coeducation at Jesus College. Being able to contribute to the legacy of women at this historic college feels both personal and professional - a reflection of a full-circle moment that I’m incredibly grateful for.” 

Philippa has a history of collaborating on impactful projects centred on women’s experiences. She has previously been commissioned by the charity Refugee Resource to create a series of portraits of refugee women, bringing visibility to their stories. More recently, her photography series, Once a Slag (formerly No Big Deal) explores the complexities of girlhood in Western society. This series has received critical acclaim, with three images from the project being selected for the Taylor Wessing Portrait Prize 2023 and exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery. 

External links

Explore more of Philippa's work on her website and Instagram 

Lead image: ©PhilippaJames