The “Path to Self” collection follows a journey from adversity and constraint towards healing and self-discovery. In the first two projects, the diptych “The Shape You Put Me In” / “The Shape You Left Me In” and the collaboration “Heirs to Manhood”, Stefan confronts external forces that once silenced expression, such as the lasting impact of narcissistic emotional abuse and the cultural limitations of masculinity. These works not only expose the weight of such experiences but also reflect the fears that shaped the artist’s creative voice. The third project, Project Lonicera, shifts the focus inward, charting a process of grief, renewal and acceptance. By reinterpreting childhood paintings, memory is reshaped into growth. Together, the works move from shadow to light, towards freedom, healing and a more peaceful horizon.