During my freshman year I read “The Photographic Act and Other Essays” (Philippe Dubois, 1992), a book that showed me how portraits can delve into the human psyche. That’s why I’m such a fan of self-portraits.

My favorite stories usually have this quality too. They dig into those big existential questions or force characters to face some harsh truths about themselves and life.

Shuzo Oshimi’s manga “Aku no Hana” is a perfect example of that (as well as responsible for today’s self-portrait), with the characters’ inner turmoil and the darker aspects of human nature being the jewels in its crown. A journey to reflect on morals, boundaries, and the dissonances between our desires, actions, and self-image.