'and we always have' is an aerial hoop solo, created and performed by Nailah Renuka, that aims to explore how the decolonization of oral storytelling by marginalized groups can be applied to the decolonization of Western contemporary circus aesthetics.

In response to Winston Churchill's quote, "History is written by victors," this project explores the historical revisionism and erasure of the stories of marginalized groups, both as a conscious colonial effort and as the result of inadvertent language bias. This work also derives creative inspiration from "And the best thing about the legend is / I can enter it anywhere. And have.", a line from Eavan Boland's 'The Pomegranate', a poem in which she distorts and interweaves Persephone's legend with her own daughter's story. Karina Tynan's feminist reinterpretation of the Irish epic ‘Táin’ demonstrated further potential for entry and engagement with mythology.

Created with the support of the Ontario Arts Council, Canada Council for the Arts, and ArtReachTO, the two year creation process for 'and we always have' included a strong dramaturgy and mentorship element, two Toronto WIP showings, costume development, a showing featuring a Q&A and peer feedback form, and an excerpt presentation in the Niagara region, ending with video and photo documentation of the full act.

Created + Performed by Nailah Renuka

Mentored + Dramaturged by Rachel Strickland

Filmed + Produced by Black Wolf Artistry

Filmed and Edited by Valerie Cheng

Costume by Caroline Giuricich + Nailah Renuka