John Waters

John Waters is an American artist best known for his satirical and raunchy movies. Also a visual artist, Waters’ photography, sculpture, and installations pieces humorously recontextualize art and popular culture. Born on April 22, 1946 in Baltimore, MD, Waters briefly attended NYU for film but was kicked out for what he claims was the “first ever marijuana scandal on a university campus.” Waters then returned to Baltimore in 1966 where he began collaborating on films with his longtime friend and muse Glenn Milstead, also known as Divine.

Watch

John Waters on the art of shocking audiences, PBS, 2018

Selected Work

John Waters – Sexual Attraction
2014, C-prints, 12 1/2 x 33 1/2 inches, 6 x 27 inches (image size), edition of 5
John Waters – Stud
1998, C-prints,11 3/4 x 27 3/4 inches (total), 5 x 7 inches (each image), edition of 8
John Waters – Toilet Hands
2009, C-prints, 10 1/2 x 30 1/2 inches (total), edition of 5
John Waters – Framing Problems
2014, C-prints, 49 1/2 x 25 inches, edition of 5
John Waters – Cancel Ansel
2014, C-prints, 50 1/2 x 34 1/2 inches (total), 44 x 28 inches (image size), edition of 5
John Waters – Self-Portrait #5 (Dog Catcher)
2012, C-print, 42 1/8 x 42 1/8 inches, edition of 5