99% NO.58 Allen 2013

Editor: Here we have Sedrick Huckaby's "99% NO.58 Allen," a drawing with a striking immediacy, especially in its use of line and shading. What do you see as the most compelling formal elements at play here? Curator: The artist's mark-making is key. Note the frantic energy of the lines, yet they coalesce to define form and volume. Consider how the hatching builds up areas of shadow, creating a sense of depth and weight. Editor: It almost feels like a study in controlled chaos, doesn't it? The detail in the hands versus the more gestural treatment of the torso, for example. Curator: Precisely. This contrast guides the eye and emphasizes certain aspects of the figure over others. The figure is cropped, which draws attention to the expressiveness and immediacy. Editor: Fascinating! I hadn't considered it that way. Curator: Paying attention to the composition, line, and contrast allows us to appreciate the artist's intent. Editor: It is such a detailed figure. I'll definitely view portraiture differently now.