One to watch #1: Farhia Koje
For our first ONE TO WATCH series, we talked to Farhia Koje ! Born and raised in West London, the Somali director and photographer is carving her own lane with stories that pull you into her world. Her work, rooted in self-discovery and a childlike sense of wonder, challenges how we look at memory, identity, and imagination !
We sat down with Farhia to talk about her creative process, what inspires her, and how she’s learning to trust her own vision:
SSummary: You’re from West London, how did growing up there shape you as a creative?
Farhia K: West London is where I was born and raised! It’s definitely a big part of who I am and how I see the world.
SSummary: Would you say your Somali background influences your work?
Farhia K: It plays no part in my work, but I am Somali, and it’s an identity I’m super proud of.
SSummary: You’ve described your practice as childlike. Can you tell us more about that?
Farhia K: I’m in a process of understanding and learning about my inner child, whom I ignored for so long. Only in the last two years did I realise she was so cool, with so much to say and offer. I take things that make me feel like a kid again and spin them into something a bit more mature for my present self too. I work with very gritty textures and bold colours for an aged look to depict that maturity while keeping the storyline and character lighthearted.
SSummary: What kind of themes do you explore through your work?
Farhia K: I try to explore themes of childhood, but it tends to go off track the more I develop an idea. It can start with something I enjoyed as a kid, like a film or a song, but I obviously perceive it differently now as an adult; so trying to honour both can be tricky. I think also, in a world where our brains absorb so many different concepts with just one swipe, I intentionally riddle my work with open-ended questions and strange, captivating visuals to make people stay. My work isn’t to be consumed in passing, it’s to be pondered on and unpacked. Whatever answer the audience comes up with is usually the right one; it’s all about how people perceive it.
SSummary: Who or what inspires you most?
Farhia K: I think I inspire me! (laughs) Sounds shallow, but I’m learning to give myself a lot more credit for how my mind works and how I feel for what I believe in. Authenticity is threatening lately, and when something doesn’t fit under a category or a particular genre, it’s alienated. I brush all of that off, I know being me is bound to be appreciated by somebody.
If we’re talking real-life influences, don’t laugh, but I love Tyler Perry down. He’s my favourite director despite what most people think of him. I grew up on Madea and still rewatch the plays and films to get that kid-like feeling again and inspire my work. He really showed me what comes with sticking to an idea, a concept, or a character you truly believe in. I hope I can have something like that I’m known for someday.
SSummary: What’s been a defining moment in your journey so far?
Farhia K: Honestly, it might be my first ever editorial series, The House Next Door. It was based on a recurring childhood nightmare I had, and bringing it to life felt like both a labour of love and a dare at the same time. It was my first time not having to ask someone what to do; The trajectory of that project was completely up to me. While it was scary, I could prove that my ideas weren’t a gimmick. Before I can convince a big producer I’m the person for it, I had to convince myself first. The visuals were unlike anything I’d ever done before ! I pressed every single button on Lightroom I saw and hoped for the best. It’s definitely what you should pull up if someone asks, “Who is Farhia?”
With her raw curiosity and fearless sense of play, Farhia K reminds us that art doesn’t need to fit a mold, it just needs to feel honest. From exploring childhood nostalgia to experimenting without rules, she’s a creative voice redefining what authenticity looks like in a world obsessed with perfection !
Interview by Sara GUREWAN
