99% NO.65 2013

Curator: This is Sedrick Huckaby's "99% NO.65," currently held here at the Harvard Art Museums. It's a small print, rendered in grayscale. Editor: The starkness immediately strikes me. There's a somber mood, a weight in the subject's gaze. It feels intimate, yet distant. Curator: Huckaby's work often engages with ideas of community and representation, particularly of Black life. We might think about this piece in relation to broader social issues of visibility. Editor: Absolutely. The title, "99%," paired with the subject's downcast eyes, suggests a commentary on economic inequality and the struggles faced by marginalized communities. There's a silent protest here. Curator: Art historically, it sits within a tradition of social realism, but also speaks to the contemporary moment and its complex conversations around identity and representation. Editor: It's a powerful reminder that art can serve as both a mirror and a catalyst for change. Curator: Indeed, the work invites us to consider the narratives often absent from mainstream art discourse. Editor: It's a somber portrait, with the capacity to evoke empathy and incite critical thought about our society.