DeRosa: Life, Love & Art in Transition

2021, English, Felicia DeRosa, USA,

Director: Angelo Thomas
Release Year: 2021

Synopsis:

"DeRosa: Life, Love & Art in Transition" is a deeply personal and introspective documentary directed by Angelo Thomas, which chronicles the extraordinary life of Felicia DeRosa. The film follows DeRosa’s journey of self-discovery, shedding light on her experiences as a transgender woman coming out at the age of 41. With her marriage, career, and sense of identity all at risk, DeRosa embarks on a brave path toward authenticity and self-acceptance.

 

DeRosa, a multifaceted artist with an eclectic background, has long been celebrated for her creative talent and diverse artistic practices. She began her career as a child prodigy, showcasing her Dali-esque pen-and-ink studies in a city-sponsored juried exhibition back in 1986. Her early years set the stage for an artistic evolution that would see her embrace a wide range of mediums, from draftsman and printmaker to photographer, designer, and curator. Her formal education culminated in a BFA from the Academy of Art University in 1997. The years following her graduation were a period of growth and transformation. As DeRosa navigated life as a working artist, she became an integral part of the west coast underground art and salon gallery scenes. She continued to develop her craft, ultimately shifting toward a new artistic direction in 2004 with the creation of 'POP Impressionism.'

 

Drawing influence from Impressionistic principles, poster art, and advertising media, DeRosa’s work focused on capturing the subtle gestures and human connections often overlooked in everyday life. Her work aimed to create icons out of the ordinary, presenting personal iconography and social-political commentary in a minimalist, graphic style. DeRosa's prolific output during this period resulted in hundreds of original paintings, many of which were exhibited and sold across the United States. In 2008, DeRosa relocated to Chicago, adding public art to her repertoire and contributing to city-sponsored murals. She continued her exploration of the art world through her travels, embarking on a solo journey through Europe and the U.K. in 2010, where she studied light, painted, exhibited, and sought new directions for her work. Upon returning to the U.S., DeRosa pursued an MFA at the Columbus College of Art and Design, graduating in 2014. This experience marked a shift in her artistic practice, incorporating dimensionality and community into her work, as she began to challenge traditional notions of painting. 

 

While DeRosa’s artistic career flourished, her personal journey was undergoing a profound transformation. It was during this period that she came out as transgender at the age of 43. Her decision to embrace her true identity was both a personal and professional risk, with the potential to disrupt her career, her marriage, and her entire sense of self. However, Felicia DeRosa was determined to live her truth. She recognized that her visibility could be a powerful form of activism, and in 2017, she had her first solo art exhibit since transitioning—a pivotal moment captured in Angelo Thomas's earlier documentary short about her. Building on this foundation, Thomas decided to create a full-length documentary, "DeRosa: Life, Love & Art in Transition," which weaves together personal interviews, archival home video footage, and reflections on her transition. The film captures DeRosa's unflinching honesty and authenticity as she navigates the complexities of self-identity, gender, and the public’s perception of transgender people. 

 

In an interview with The Buckeye Flame, DeRosa shared her reasons for participating in the documentary. "Visibility is protest," she said, emphasizing the importance of trans representation in mainstream media. DeRosa saw the film not only as a personal project but as a way to give back to the community. "I want to support the next generation of trans people so they don’t have to go through the same trauma and intense dysphoria that I did," she remarked. For DeRosa, the documentary was a tool to educate, inform, and challenge the prevailing narratives around gender identity, and she hoped that viewers would gain a more human understanding of the trans and nonbinary communities. The film also explores the evolving dynamics of DeRosa’s relationship with the director, Angelo Thomas, who was once her student at the Columbus College of Art & Design. DeRosa reflected on their collaboration as one of mutual respect and understanding. "He is a gay man of color, and we shared many moments where he related strongly to things I was going through," she recalled. "I think that made him a really good facilitator. He didn’t tell my story; he helped me tell my own."

 

Seeing herself on screen was an emotional experience for DeRosa. She marveled at the changes she had undergone—not just physically but emotionally. She acknowledged the differences between her past self and the person she had become, particularly noting how much happier she appeared now, a transformation that had been made possible through hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the affirmation of her gender identity. "I didn’t notice how miserable I looked in old photos, even though I might be smiling," she confessed. "In hindsight, I can see the pain behind my eyes." As an educator, DeRosa has witnessed a shift in how younger generations approach gender and identity. "It was working with younger students that empowered me to come out," she shared. These students, who had access to online communities and a broader vocabulary for discussing gender, provided DeRosa with a sense of connection and validation. Reflecting on her own experiences of growing up without such resources, she expressed her hope that the visibility and acceptance of trans and nonbinary individuals would only continue to grow. "There’s a whole galaxy of gender identity," she said. "You don’t have to conform to a set of ideals. If you want to sparkle, fucking sparkle."

 

In "DeRosa: Life, Love & Art in Transition," DeRosa’s candid storytelling and openness about her journey offer valuable insight into the realities of living as a transgender artist and individual. The film stands as both a personal chronicle and an act of activism, challenging stereotypes and advocating for a more inclusive understanding of gender identity. For DeRosa, it is a testament to her courage, resilience, and dedication to living her truth, as well as a contribution to the ongoing conversation about gender, art, and visibility in contemporary society.

 

via: youtube

imdb and thebuckeyeflame.com

derosaart.com and watch.revry.tv

Image credits: YouTube