Through Venus

“Through Venus” by Nadiya Nacorda: “Religion has always been a deeply complex agent in my life. I was raised Catholic by means of my paternal grandmother who grew up in a small poor village in the Philippines and who’s sister, my great aunt is nun and has been for over 50 years. I was told to be quiet during mass, not to cross your legs in church, not to fidget too much, and everything else in the Catholic world you’re not supposed to do and what is right and wrong. And I spent a lot of my childhood with my grandparents, and do have many fond memories. It remains the only house from my childhood that still exists. As such, Catholicism maintained a position of reign during my upbringing that would not dare question as a child. It was everywhere, subtly but oh so sternly. Because of this experience, as a wander through my grandparents home when I come to visit, I find a total lack of connection to these Holy relics and symbols that exists in the space almost as permanently as the walls themselves…”