Foundation for Contemporary Arts

Justin Vivian Bond

Lives in New York, NY

Born 1963, Hagerstown, MD

Trans-Genre Artist

Although I am known primarily as a performer, I consider myself to be a writer creating my own narrative. I make choices based on what inspires me and what will keep me engaged in living my life in a way that I find fulfilling and interesting. Therefore, I write my own shows and create scenarios-personal and public-that bring me into contact with fascinating and sometimes dangerous people and situations which, hopefully, encourage political and philosophical discourse as I attempt to maintain a certain level of critical detachment. Sometimes I play myself and sometimes I play a character. I don't believe anyone else has the right to define our identities or to dictate our choices and so I continue to forge my own way within multiple genres, classes, genders and communities.

2006 M.A., Central St. Martins College, London, UK

1985 B.F.A., Adelphi University

SELECTED WORKS

2011 TANGO: MY Childhood Backwards and in High Heels (New York: The Feminist Press, 2011)

2011 Dendrophile (Whimsy Music, CD)

SELECTED PERFORMANCES

2011 The Fall of the House of Whimsy, Participant, Inc. (solo exhibition and performance), New York, NY

2010 Re:Galli Blonde (A Sissy Fix), The Kitchen, New York, NY

2009 - 2011 Christmas Spells, The Abrons Arts Center, New York, NY

2009 Lustre: A Mid-Winter Transfest, PS 122, New York, NY

2008 Justin Bond is Close to You, The Zipper Factory, New York, NY; also performed at The Delacourte Theater in Central Park, New York, NY; The Sydney Opera House, Sydney, AU; The Speigeltent, Manchester, UK

2007 Glamour Damage, Soho Theater, London, UK

1993 - 2007 Kiki and Herb, performed at Helen Hayes Theater, New York, NY; Performance Space 122, New York, NY; The Royal Albert Hall, London, UK; The Sydney Opera House, Sydney, AU

SELECTED GRANTS, HONORS AND AWARDS

2011 Peter S. Reed Foundation Grant

2008 Ethyl Eichelberger Award

2006 Tony nomination for Best Theatrical Experience for Kiki & Herb: Alive on Broadway

2004 New York State Dance and Performance "Bessie" Choreographer/Creator Award for, Kiki & Herb

2000 Obie Award for Kiki & Herb: Jesus Wept