99% NO.34 Telemicus 2013

Curator: Sedrick Huckaby's "99% NO.34 Telemicus," currently held at the Harvard Art Museums, is a small, intimate work on paper. Its dimensions are just about 5 by 3 inches. Editor: It strikes me as a very raw and personal image, almost like a quick sketch capturing a fleeting moment of introspection. There’s a vulnerability to the subject's profile. Curator: Considering Huckaby's broader body of work, this piece invites us to reflect on the intersection of faith, labor, and identity. The inscriptions above and below the portrait, "In all thy ways acknowledge him" and "Please pray for me," frame the image within a spiritual context. Editor: Absolutely. The text transforms the portrait into a plea, suggesting a dialogue between the sitter and a higher power. The artist seems to be grappling with internal conflicts, perhaps reflecting broader societal struggles. Curator: The sketch-like quality adds to that sense of immediacy, making it feel like a direct transmission of emotion and experience. Editor: It leaves me contemplating the subject's humanity, and the weight of his burdens, both personal and perhaps societal. Curator: For me, it reinforces the power of art to act as a mirror, reflecting our shared vulnerabilities and hopes.