Today we’d like to introduce you to Sedrick Huckaby.
Hi Sedrick, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I always liked making art as a child. Back then, I would draw superheroes, ships, and various characters. As I matured my art matured with me. In high school, I participated in some of the many great art programs that were available in the area. The ACT-SO competition, Imagination celebration’s Young Artist Apprentice Program, and the FWISD art programs are a few of them. I was encouraged by Professor Ron Tomlinson to study fine art in the university, and in 1993, I begin my undergraduate degree at Texas Wesleyan University. I later transferred into the program at Boston University where I receive a Bachelor of Art Degree and afterwards a Masters of Arts degree from Yale University. Since graduating in 1999, I have acted as a professor of art for 18 years and have won numerous awards, honors, and accolades for my Art Practice. Most recently my wife, artist Letitia Huckaby, and I have had the pleasure of opening our own art space called Kinfolk House. Today, I work as the head of the board of Kinfolk House and as an internationally known professional artist.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Life has never been without struggles. Sometimes I look back and I am amazed that I made it through all the troublesome years to now become a husband, father, mentor, teacher, and friend. I’ve struggled with being accepted, respected, and acknowledge in the art world. It was also hard learning how to find balance within the busy life of being a professor, artist, husband, father, Sunday school superintendent, and friend yet, I can only say I have been able to make it by the grace of God.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Some of my art that deals with themes of faith, family, and the Black American heritage. I work in a variety of mediums however, I am known for large-scale oil paintings of people and of quilts. In recent works, I have also been sculpting life-sized papier-mache sculptures. My works include the studio art practices contemporary portraiture, and paintings of quilts as well as socially engaged art forms. My newest project, Kinfolk House is an example of my social art practice.
I always ask a lot of questions with my art. What can art do? Can art act as an object of contemplation, agreeing with all the rules of traditional art, and also be an active force for change in the world (in a more literal way)? Can art be a catalyst for community transformation? How can a living artist ever rival the works of the old masters? Can the research of an artist be just as valuable as the research of a scientist? Are fact and truth two different things? At the end of the day, I have a lot of questions and I go about my research as an artist trying to answer questions of importance.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
Although the politics and racial issues can be challenging, the city has great museums, and it’s the place I call home. Because I love this city, I work adamantly to make it a better place.
Contact Info:
- Website: huckabystudios.com, Kinfolkhouse.org
