Gluten-free economy

Artwork by Boe 16 June 2023

Comic

Panel 1 of a digitally drawn, four-panel comic titled ‘Gluten-free economy’. Text at the top reads “CHOOSE YOUR ALLERGY”. The box in the bottom right is labelled ‘WHEAT’ and, in it, is a character with brown skin and short black curly hair. A cartoon cursor is clicking over this box to signal this is the allergy you have chosen. There are three other boxes with characters that have not been chosen, labelled ‘DAIRY’, ‘POLLEN’ and ‘METAL’.

Panel 2 of a digitally drawn, four-panel comic titled ‘Gluten-free economy’. The text at the top says ‘CHARACTER STATS’. The sliders show your character suffers badly with brain fog, tummy aches, and bloating, and carries food from home, charcoal pills and Omega 3 supplements.

Panel 3 of a digitally drawn, four-panel comic titled ‘Gluten-free economy’. Your character is on the run, but a warning sign at the top reads: “You’re low on energy! Find something to eat.” You have 213 coins in your wallet.

Panel 4 of a digitally drawn, four-panel comic titled ‘Gluten-free economy’. You’re holding a small loaf of bread. The game asks: “Are you sure you want to spend 10x the price for a gluten-free loaf in this economy?”. Your cursor hovers over a button which says: “I don’t have a choice.”

Gluten-free economy. © Boe for Wellcome Collection.

About the artist

A photo of Boe sitting outside on stairs, with graffiti in the background

Boe

(she/they)

@boestudio.s on Instagram
Boe's website

Boe is a self-taught illustrator and tattoo artist based in London. Boe's aim is to normalise social and political discussions and make them accessible for all. And as a queer person, their identity is a central theme to their work. Boe also lives with a wide range of allergies which has had its challenges, and has resulted in a big bag of medicines and creams to get by.

Gluten-free economy

About the artist

Boe

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