Angan Angan Harsa

Angan-Angan Harsa is an energetic exploration of moments of joy, set in the familiar landscapes of photographer Farid Renais Ghimas’ birthplace, Bengkulu—a province on the southwest coast of Sumatra Island, Indonesia. Documented in the summer of 2022, this series portrays the artist’s family, friends, and community members as protagonists in a visual narrative that reflects the rhythms of everyday life. Through depictions of sun-soaked afternoons outdoors, moments of laughter among family and friends, and the quiet intimacy of home, the photographs celebrate the beauty of the mundane and the relationships that define both personal and collective identity.

Farid’s photographs are both tender and honest, as if caught in the unguarded seconds of a fleeting memory. His visual palette radiates calmness and tranquillity, often characterised by soothing colours reminiscent of a peaceful late afternoon glow. He views his approach to colour as an integral part of the image — a visual feeling that triggers a memory of a visceral emotion from growing up in Indonesia.

Originally developed as a final university project during the artist’s MA at Central Saint Martins in 2022, the series was initially presented as a photobook for his final submission. It was later reworked and published by Jordan, jordan Édition in 2024, following discussions that began in 2023.

Meaning “Dreams of Joy” in Indonesian, the project draws upon fragments of Farid’s childhood memories and experiences from his visits to Bengkulu, manifesting them through photographs that reveal how the place looks today. The book invites the viewers to reflect on the connections between people, place, and memory, offering a personal yet universal story of belonging.