Reed Rushes is a British-American performance artist living and working in Queens, New York.

Rushes has a multimedia performance practice that centers queer fantasy. Combining drag, movement, video, found and self made objects Rushes’ performances unpick the hierarchical distinctions between human bodies, emotional affect and objecthood. Described as “defying the boundaries of skin, enacting solidarity instead” (Exeunt Magazine) their art explores modes of connection beyond the physical realm. Often working collaboratively Rushes work reminds us of our own interdependence and capacity for collective transformation.

Rushes graduated with a Masters in Fine Arts from Milton Avery Graduate School of the Arts Bard College New York (2022) and holds a Bachelors Degree in English Literature and Performance with honors from Queen Mary University London (2015). They began their performance art practice on London's queer club and drag scene. In 2018 Rushes won "Man Up," Europe’s largest Drag King competition, “brilliantly subverting extreme masculinity” (The Guardian). Their work has now shown at The Park Avenue Armory, Performance Space New York, Centre for Performance Research, The Yard Theatre London, Rich Mix London, BOFFO and Art Omi and has been supported through public funding by Arts Council England. Rushes co-founded award-winning theatre company, The Wardrobe Ensemble in 2011, performing national and internationally at venues such as The National Theatre London and Bristol Old Vic before formally leaving to pursue their performance art career. They were dramaturg on 1972: The Future of Sex (★★★★ The Guardian) (★★★★ LGBTQ Arts Review).

Teaching is a large part of Rushes's practice, they have taught performance and lead workshops at University College London; Columbia University, New York; Rose Bruford College London; and Home Live Art, UK. They were a Live Art Development DIY recipient (2019), and were awarded the OSUN Teaching Fellowship for performance at Al-Quds Bard College, Palestine (2021).