Meg Thompson

Escapism is a sculptural furniture piece that explores the North West's, particularly Liverpool’s, working-class identity through personal narrative, industrial craft and material memory. Inspired by the form of a guitar case, the design echoes the emotional depth of music in shaping both the city’s culture and my own upbringing. The luggage-like aesthetic paired with ‘vintage’ luggage stickers references the city’s iconic port as a gateway for Irish immigrants, including my great-grandparents, and speaks to themes of movement, belonging and inherited resilience.

Drawing from the dockland architecture, the aluminium piece uses exposed rivets and raw finishes to celebrate the importance of industrial labour for the culture, community and Working Class of the city. Deliberately designed to sit awkwardly in the corner of a room, like a guitar would in many family homes, it invites emotional connection rather than convenience and provides a safe space for storing lightweight sentimental items.

The project’s intentionally resistant form challenges ideas of convenience. Like Liverpool itself, it is raw, emotional and unpolished. It invites reflection on cultural heritage and domestic intimacy, turning industrial materials and memories into something enduring, uncomfortable, and powerfully proud.