99% NO.69 Budda (Jaquan Rob Lester Brown) 2013

Curator: Sedrick Huckaby’s work, “99% NO.69 Budda (Jaquan Rob Lester Brown)” is a striking piece. Editor: My first impression is one of quiet defiance. The sketched lines create a sense of immediacy and introspection. Curator: Indeed. The use of line, almost frenetic in places, builds form economically. The artist captures shadow and light with remarkable efficiency. Editor: But the text scrawled at the bottom – "Not Guilty" – changes everything. It speaks to systemic issues, legal battles, and the narrative of young Black men in America. Curator: The phrase, though a brief statement, adds to the formal elements of the work. It contributes meaning as the materiality of the phrase itself. Editor: It’s a powerful reminder that art doesn't exist in a vacuum. Huckaby uses his skill to force a dialogue about justice and representation. Curator: I appreciate its subtle grace despite the weight of the subject. Editor: Absolutely, it is a compelling piece that sparks conversation.