Matt Bernstein
Thu February 25, 2027 at 6:30PM
Chan Centre, Chan Shun Concert Hall
Get TicketsBundles on sale Nov 12, single tickets on sale Dec 3
about the speaker
Matt Bernstein is an artist and digital creator whose work blends political commentary, cultural critique, and vivid creativity. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, he began posting makeup looks with political messaging on Instagram before evolving his platform into a space where art and activism intersect.
Bernstein is well known for his signature collage-style infographics, presented against his iconic blue-and-pink gradient background, and short-form video that tackles hot-button issues with clarity, wit, and a deeply personal perspective. His ability to make complex political and social topics accessible has made him one of the most influential digital voices for young queer progressives in the U.S., reaching over 2.5 million Instagram followers.
His cultural impact has been recognized across the industry. He was named Influencer of the Year at the 2022 PinkNews Awards, won the Insta-Follow category at the 2024 Queerties, and was featured on Out magazine’s Out100 list that same year. His content has been amplified by celebrities including Demi Lovato, Lili Reinhart, and Ariana Grande, the latter prompting a direct response from the White House in 2025.
Bernstein hosts the podcast A Bit Fruity, featuring guests ranging from journalists and experts to fellow creators, and appeared in the 2025 documentary Reclaim the Flag, which explores LGBTQ+ people’s relationship with the American flag. Through his work, he aims to uplift the LGBTQ+ community while shining a light on the issues that demand attention.

About the series
The return of Donald Trump to the White House has been described as a rupture – from democratic norms, from the post-war alliance system, from established economic models, and from the rules-based international order the United States itself built. Historians remind us, however, the pressures at play in this political moment are not new. American unilateralism, economic disruption, and democratic backsliding have deep roots and did not necessarily arrive with any one administration.
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