Shida: Rites of Joy

Overview

Name an act that brings you the most happiness — and it's okay if you go with the obvious one. Looking at Mik Shida's latest series of images, you're supposed to think of it. Rites of Joy reflects upon how love and sexuality evoke the titular feeling, and how they both tie into our rituals.

That's why the Brisbane-based artist's pieces look like psychedelic entities entwined in a ceremonial act transcending the bounds of known reality. That's the official description, in fact. Shida is searching for, exploring and depicting commonality and contentment in a time when differentiation, division and defined identities are prevalent, all through the invocation at its most energetic.

The exhibition kicks off on October 28 with an opening night shindig, complete with beverages from Young Henrys and a fundraising component to help Queensland Writers Centre, too. After that, drop by until November 11 to see Shida's range of smile-inducing mixed media works.

Image: Mik Shida.