99% NO.38 2013

Editor: This is "99% NO.38" by Sedrick Huckaby, a drawing held at the Harvard Art Museums. It feels very intimate, almost like a quick sketch from life. What's your take on its presentation? Curator: It's intriguing how Huckaby uses such raw, immediate mark-making for portraiture. Consider the history of portraiture, traditionally linked to power and status. How does this choice of medium and style affect the viewer's perception of the sitter? Editor: I suppose it democratizes the process, focusing on capturing the essence of an individual rather than idealizing them for posterity. Curator: Precisely! The rough lines and unfinished quality also invite the viewer to engage actively, filling in the gaps and creating their own narrative around the subject. It reframes the public role of portraiture, wouldn't you agree? Editor: That's a great perspective, it’s made me rethink the power dynamics within art.