Sushmi Majumder '25: Artistic reflections on our connections to food

Food is...

Food is a medium. Food is personal. Food is cultural. Food is so much more than the nutrients we need to sustain life. 

I inherently associate food with creativity, as a means of expression, connection, and communication. In my life, creating art has served the same purpose for me and so I realized that the two mediums aren’t so different after all. As we eat, we are artists in our own right.

The “Food is…” series highlights diverse stories surrounding the role of food in each person’s life. In response to these narratives, I create a drawing that helps capture the central theme. I then combine a video of the drawing process with someone’s personal story about their connection to food.

My goal for this series is to help viewers visualize the unique relationships people have with food. The phrase “a picture is worth a thousand words” is well-known for a reason; I believe that a vivid illustration paired with a heartfelt anecdote can personalize themes related to food systems that are otherwise complex. 

The process

First, I meet with the person we’re spotlighting and have a brainstorming session in order to explore what one’s connection to food is like. Sometimes through this conversation, we finalize a “food is…” prompt to focus on. Eventually, I hear the specific story that will exemplify the prompt. Afterwards I create a draft script that then undergoes revision and feedback. As the person records themselves reading the script on their own time, I begin the drawing process on an app called Procreate. The last step is putting together the final video!

The Impact

It’s been so rewarding to hear the positive feedback from this campaign thus far, and it means so much that viewers feel transported into the story they are listening to as they watch the illustration come to life. I’m also loving the eagerness from our viewers to participate in this series. We would love to spotlight you next, so feel free to reach out!

 “The 'Food is...' series is fantastic because it allows people to share what food means to them, highlighting its unique significance to each individual while also revealing shared feelings and experiences. I believe this series can foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the diverse ways food impacts our lives.

During the drafting, writing, and revising process of the script for 'Food is...Language,' I hoped the story would resonate with others. Food has always helped me communicate and connect with people. Reflecting on the story I wrote also brought back a memory I hadn’t thought about in a long time, which I really enjoyed."

• Milla Doer '26 - Undergraduate student who shared her story for the "Food is Language" video.

Sushmi Majumder '25 is an undergraduate Science Communications Assistant for Cornell's Food Systems & Global Change program.