Tied by history, away from home

Tied by History, Away from Home is a collaborative project merging product design and publication to explore the stories behind student migration and its deep roots in historical inequality within art education. Consisting of six layered boxes and an accompanying publication, the work illustrates how centuries of oppression continue to shape access, investment, and opportunity in creative fields today. Each of the four central boxes reveals one student’s migration story: personal at first, then intertwined with historical context. The two outer boxes invite audience participation. Drawing on interviews with students from Malaysia, Poland, Cyprus, and India, the project transforms research into a tactile, interactive experience. Every design choice, from earth-toned colours and wood materials to laser-cut layers, looks to reinforce our storyline in exploring migration and identity. Special thanks to Andreea Codreanu, Daria Leliuh and Apurva Rouduri for their collaboration on this project.