By: Valerie Milano
Los Angeles, CA (The Hollywood Times) 7/12/2024 – Paul Whitehead is a British artist whose career has included working as an art director for Time Out and John Lennon, as well as creating album covers for music icons like Genesis, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Van der Graaf Generator, and Peter Hammill.
Trisha Van Cleef is also an artist of note, who uses a plethora of diverse materials including stockings, pantyhose, adhesives, found objects, and a variety of paints and varnishes, to create her works of art.
Two quite different artists with one important thing in common, each other! Paul is a completely out and proud crossdresser, and Trisha his female persona. The two exist independently of each other, and each has their separate artistic style and preferred media.
Paul and Trisha are the subjects of a documentary film, “Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity,” written and directed by Fia Perera. The film made its Video-On-Demand debut earlier this month, and The Hollywood Times sat down with Perera to discuss her amazing film.
Click below for our exclusive interview:
“Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity” focuses on Whitehead, who began exploring his gender identity through cross-dressing during the 1960s, leading to the emergence of the converged artist Trisha Van Cleef in 2004. The film delves into the brutal challenges and beautiful victories that Paul and Trisha have faced, together and individually, in the mercurial and competitive world of art, all while unapologetically navigating the uncharted waters of gender identity and artistic expression, breaking down perilous stigmas along the way.
Ferera said she was familiar with Paul and Trisha before she set out to make this film, and that she had a good idea of what she wanted to feature in her film.
“I have had the pleasure of knowing Paul and Trisha for a little while before I made the documentary,” Ferrera said in her exclusive interview with The Hollywood Times. “My dear friend Adam Fisk (the film’s executive producer) introduced me to them, so I knew them fairly well.”
Of course, Ferera said as she began making the film, that themes beyond the crossdressing connection began to emerge.
“I’ve really had a clear idea of what the theme was around the film, and it was really the dual identity, and the fluidity between Paul and Trisha, the fluidity of their gender and the fluidity of their artwork, and the acceptance of self,” she said. “I was very clear about the structure, where we needed to go, but when I got in and started, as a director, especially in a documentary, the story emerges, and it is – no pun intended – very fluid.”
As she worked with the artistic duo on the film, her vision began to change and morph into a wonderful look at two exceptional artists who audiences will see when they view the film.
“In talking with Paul and Tricia, more and more themes, little threads would get pulled out, and I would weave them into the film,” she said. “It was really a wonderful experience.”
This colorful, heartwarming, and truly inspirational documentary, explores the lives of these two renowned British artists who exist in one gender-fluid body. The film is Perera’s directorial debut, and has screened to rave reviews, with critics focusing on how Perera “reveals the challenges and joyful moment which both souls celebrate and endure…with great dignity and purpose” (Film Threat), while others praise the film’s style, saying “the artwork alone is worth the price of admission, but the story is amazing, and its presentation is brilliant” (Splash Magazine).
Perera, who is also an activist for those seeking their authentic selves, said she had another purpose for making this film.
“My passion is spotlighting and elevating individuals like Paul and Trisha, who navigate their gender fluidity and duality with great freedom,” she said. “My mission with this film is to help inspire other people who are struggling to be their true selves to take the leap.”
“Paul & Trisha: The Art of Fluidity” has held a successful festival run with screenings at Cinequest Film Festival, Santa Fe Film Festival, Ojai Film Festival, and New Filmmakers LA Docuslate Festival.
The film also features a supporting cast that includes Raul Celaya, Phil Day, Sheena Gao, Johnny Nelson and Paul Nygro. William Gilmore is the cinematographer and editor for the film, which was produced by Perera Pictures and Fisky Enterprises, with distribution by Gravitas Ventures.
