These are just a few of the absolutely breathtaking paper sculptures by Haitian born, New York based artist Fabiola Jean-Louis. Yes, I said paper. She’s chosen paper as her main medium because it “acts as a tether linking the present to a past when paper was not just a basic currency, but held the power to determine the freedom of a human being.” That gave me chills. Also, chill-inducing, this caption she recently wrote on Instagram regarding her paper shoes:

“Paper shoes. They are one of my favorite things to make, and have a deeper meaning that many people don’t realize. The feet of my ancestors were not allowed to wear such delicate shoes, because they weren’t seen as delicate creatures. And, it’s not that we cared to be. Just the same, the importance of our feet has long been overlooked. Remember that they helped us stand firm, helped us run, and sometimes they failed by giving out as our bodies succumbed to the painful whip. Somehow our feet have always helped us get back up.”

So beautiful. So powerful.