John Waters: Pope of Trash Academy Museum of Motion Pictures

John Waters is a visual artist, author, and revered film director. Aimed at skewering traditional institutions, his work has led novelist William S. Burroughs to anoint Waters as the “Pope of Trash.” His transgressive approach has spawned paragons of cinematic originality, such as Pink Flamingos (1972), Female Trouble (1974), Desperate Living (1977), Hairspray (1988), Serial Mom (1994), and... Show more

John Waters is a visual artist, author, and revered film director. Aimed at skewering traditional institutions, his work has led novelist William S. Burroughs to anoint Waters as the “Pope of Trash.” His transgressive approach has spawned paragons of cinematic originality, such as Pink Flamingos (1972), Female Trouble (1974), Desperate Living (1977), Hairspray (1988), Serial Mom (1994), and A Dirty Shame (2004). This exhibition reveals the nuances of independent filmmaking and the ways in which Waters’s movies have redefined the possibilities of independent cinema, his filmmaking process, key themes, and unmatched style. Works on view include costumes, set decoration, props, handwritten scripts, posters, concept designs, correspondence, scrapbooks, photographs, film clips, and more.