Artwork Sharing: From the Mouth to the Mind
I gave this artwork the title “From the Mouth to the Mind” because I believe that what we eat or how we feel about eating isn’t just controlled by our digestive system. Often, we forget about the real boss inside us: our brain. With this piece, I want to show the inner world of young people who struggle with or are at risk of anorexia nervosa and bulimia.
This artwork explores the complicated relationship between people with eating disorders and food. It reflects how social pressure can distort the way we see ourselves and what we eat. The chaotic composition represents the emotional cycle between binge eating and obsessively counting calories. In this world, food isn't something that nourishes — it becomes a source of anxiety.
According to the Hospital Authority of Hong Kong, 1 in every 200 female students is diagnosed with anorexia and that’s not even counting those who are suffering silently. A study from the Netherlands also found that people with anorexia often experience perceived threats, which trigger avoidance behaviors like strict dieting, vomiting, or constantly checking their body. In the eyes of someone with anorexia, food gets reduced to just numbers — calories become everything. The painting’s messy layout shows the inner struggle, where happiness often gets buried under self-doubt and calculation.
Bulimia, on the other hand, is another eating disorder that involves repeated binge eating, followed by forced vomiting or using laxatives to deal with guilt and shame. According to local statistics, bulimia is 5 to 10 times more common than anorexia, affecting around 2–3% of young women. Many of them are caught between craving delicious food and fearing weight gain. They often suffer from low self-esteem and anxiety. A study showed that 93.8% of people with bulimia have a negative relationship with high-fat and high-sugar foods. After bingeing, they feel guilty, and that guilt leads to purging — a cycle that keeps repeating and takes a toll on both their mental and physical health.
In today’s society, there’s a lot of pressure on image and appearance. Many people become overly focused on their diet and weight just to fit in with unrealistic beauty standards. But in the process, they lose a healthy connection with food. Therefore, we need to build a more positive mindset around eating to understand that eating is not something to feel guilty about, but something to enjoy.
I believe society should celebrate diversity in body shapes and appearances, so everyone can feel free and confident to enjoy life without being trapped by body image anxiety. We should also pay more attention to the eating habits of our friends and loved ones. Sudden changes like eating way more or way less could be signs that they need support. Let’s check in with them, listen without judgment, and help them overcome their fear of food and rebuild a healthy relationship with it.
At its core, this artwork is a call for society to raise awareness of body image and mental health among young people. Through open conversations and education, I hope people can change the way they see food — not as something to fear, but something to respect and enjoy.
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