In my piece Bisacodyl Tastes Just as Good, I confront my experiences with disordered eating through deeply personal symbolism. The background of imitation crab recalls a time when I controlled my food intake under the guise of being pescatarian. Apple juice, a similar story to that of the imitation crab, cascades Bisacodyl tablets, a laxative that reflects the illusion of control I relied so heavily on. Each element represents how self-destruction can feel normalized and even disciplined.
In the foreground, depicted is a female figure without a head or arms, drawing attention to the areas of the body I most dissected while denying it agency. A closed window symbolizes hope I believed was unreachable, while a small figure climbs toward it, representing the effort and possibility of recovery. I juxtapose a healthy, pink left brain with a grey-green right brain, reflecting the tension between logic and destructive emotions. The saturated colors heighten the sense of unreality, as though I am observing my younger self from a distance. This work transforms my memories into reflection, reclaiming a story of self-harm into one of growth and self-compassion.