Justin Vivian Bond, a multidisciplinary artist and performer, is profiled in ARTnews as part of their Newsmakers series. Bond, who received a MacArthur Foundation “genius grant” in 2024, discusses their upcoming performances at Joe’s Pub in New York, including a show titled “Well, Well, Well” inspired by lesbian singer-songwriters and the novel *The Well of Loneliness*. They also mention resurrecting their duo Kiki & Herb in London, and reflect on their 2017 exhibition at the New Museum, “Trigger: Gender as a Tool and a Weapon,” whose wallpaper is now installed at the V&A East Storehouse.
This profile matters because Bond represents a vital intersection of performance art, visual art, and queer activism, with institutional recognition from major museums and foundations. Their work, which centers queer joy and cultural critique, highlights how marginalized communities navigate and resist an unfriendly political climate. Bond’s ongoing influence—from curating at Joe’s Pub to being honored by Bard College—underscores the growing visibility and impact of LGBTQ+ artists in the contemporary art world.