fig,” named for its huge, powerful roots. The structure had been all but abandoned, but its neglect gave life to an uncanny memorial of sorts. Standing in the building it was impossible not to sense the unfathomable depth of pain there. It was a mesmerizing scene—simultaneously unsettling and satisfying to watch the ficus’ slow vengeance." —Gregory Halpern, (Excerpt from my interview with Hannah Abel-Hirsch for the British Journal of Photography. Link to interview in profile.) © Gregory Halpern | Magnum Photos

A tattoo depicting the 1848 Décret de la Convention Nationale, which was the second, and final time, slavery was abolished in Guadeloupe... In 1794, Britain invaded Guadeloupe; in order to repel the British, the French enlisted enslaved Guadeloupeans under the promise to abolish slavery if they won. The French won, and the promise to abolish was initially kept, but eight years later in 1802 Napoleon cancelled the law and reinstated slavery. It was not until 1848 that slavery was officially abolished in the French empire.” —Gregory Halpern © Gregory Halpern | Magnum Photos