99% NO.20 2013

Curator: Sedrick Huckaby's drawing, "99% NO.20," presents a powerful portrait rendered in pencil on paper. The Harvard Art Museums hold this work, one of a series, that measures about 8 by 7 inches. Editor: The density of the marks gives it a contemplative, almost melancholic mood. The figure seems to be holding something, perhaps a worry. Curator: Indeed. The material simplicity underscores the subject's presence. The lines appear quickly drawn, capturing a fleeting moment of labor. The choice of graphite, a common material, democratizes the process. Editor: The subject's clasped hands remind me of supplicant figures in religious art. There's a suggestion of internal struggle or resilience visualized in their posture. Curator: I'm fascinated by the artist's choice of title. "99%" suggests incompleteness, perhaps referencing the ongoing negotiation between labor and value. Editor: It makes me wonder what that missing 1% represents. An intangible part of their being or work? It's quite thought-provoking. Curator: A compelling glimpse into the everyday realities of labor, represented with humble materials. Editor: It's a small drawing that inspires big questions about being human.