Jude Norris @ HQ Gallery Williamsburg, Brooklyn (Photos: M Colon)

This past Friday, January 9th, was the opening reception for Canadian First nations artist Jude Norris’ Gratitude Code Root Mural exhibition at HQ Gallery on Grand Street in Williamsburg Brooklyn. The show runs from January 9th through March 1st.

I generally do not like attending art openings because there are too many people, which distracts me from engaging with the work. Actually most people who attend these things are there for free drinks and/or out of obligation for one reason or another. In this case I am glad I skipped the opening because the gallery turned out to be quite a small space. I imagine it must have been claustrophobically crammed with well-wishers and (free) drinkers on opening night.

Code: Detail

So I made my way down to Williamsburg on a sunny Sunday afternoon by walking from my apartment in Queens across the Pulaski Bridge into Brooklyn. It was cold, and the streets were icy, but it was a nice walk.

Once I arrived I was greeted by the gallery director, Jackson McDade, who was kind enough to speak to me about his relationship to Jude Norris (They’re fellow Canadians), his objectives for the gallery as a site specific space for artists to work through their conceptual ideas, and much more.

Please download podcast attached to hear the interview.