A powerful portrait from Sedrick Huckaby's '99%' series, capturing the character and presence of Mr. David Phoenix through expressive, monochromatic mark-making.

Sedrick Huckaby is known for his focus on the human figure and the dignity of his subjects. This work belongs to his '99%' series, a project that documents individuals from his community in Fort Worth, Texas. The series title refers to the economic demographic often overlooked in broader social discourse. By choosing to portray these specific people, Huckaby brings attention to the presence and history of those who might otherwise remain unseen.

In this portrait of Mr. David Phoenix, the artist employs a monochromatic palette to focus the viewer on the subject's expression and posture. The line quality is calligraphic and expressive, capturing the texture of the skin and the weight of the subject's gaze. The composition is direct, placing the sitter in a chair that is rendered with minimal detail, ensuring the focus remains entirely on the individual. The use of ink wash and charcoal-like marks creates a sense of immediacy, as if the viewer is witnessing a conversation in progress.

Huckaby uses a gestural approach to build form, layering dark tones to define the structure of the face and the folds of the clothing. The hand raised in a gesture of speech adds a narrative quality to the image, suggesting a moment of active communication. This print captures the artist's ability to balance technical precision with an emotional honesty that defines his practice. The work is a study in character, rendered with a sensitivity that honours the subject's individuality. It is a piece that invites quiet observation, reflecting the artist's dedication to documenting the people who shape his immediate environment.