A powerful lithographic portrait by Sedrick Huckaby, featuring a gestural, expressive style that captures the humanity and presence of his subject.

Sedrick Huckaby is known for his focus on the human figure, particularly members of his family and community in Texas. This work, part of his '99%' series, captures a subject named Willie with a directness that avoids artifice. The artist employs a gestural, sketch-like quality in his mark-making, using heavy, layered charcoal-like lines to define the form of the sitter. The composition is centred, with the subject's arms crossed in a posture of quiet confidence or contemplation.

The inclusion of handwritten text at the bottom of the print adds a layer of personal narrative, grounding the image in the specific lived experience of the individual. Huckaby often uses these textual elements to provide context or to document the spoken words of his subjects, creating a dialogue between the visual representation and the person's own voice. The stark contrast of black ink against the white paper surface draws attention to the texture of the drawing, where the artist's hand remains visible in every stroke.

By focusing on individuals who are often overlooked in broader visual culture, Huckaby creates a body of work that documents the humanity of his subjects. The print reflects his interest in the tactile nature of drawing, even when translated into the medium of lithography. The lines are energetic and immediate, suggesting a rapid capture of the subject's presence rather than a static, posed arrangement. This approach allows for a sense of intimacy, as if the viewer is sharing a moment of quiet observation with the artist. The work is a study in character, relying on the weight of the line and the expression of the sitter to convey a sense of history and identity.