by John Waters
First published 2004
Over four decades, filmmaker John Waters evolved from cultural outsider to mainstream success. William Burroughs once dubbed him "The Pope of Trash," and Broadway audiences now know him as the creator behind the hit musical Hairspray. Waters built his reputation by tackling subjects that mainstream society prefers to ignore, using humor and provocation to challenge social conventions. More than ten years ago, he picked up a still camera and transformed his artistic practice. He began photographing video stills from his television screen, capturing moments from over the top Hollywood movies and obscure art films that had long captivated him. These images became raw material for what he calls his "little movies," photographic sequences that continue his lifelong exploration of race, sex, glamour, class, family dynamics, celebrity culture, religion, media, and crime's appeal. This collection presents his still photography alongside images from his earliest low budget films like Hag in a Black Leather Jacket, Roman Candles, and Eat Your Makeup. The book also features objects from his personal collection that reflect his fascination with photographic imagery and American popular culture's more outrageous expressions.
Genres: biography, art, non-fiction, 21st-century, photography, film
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: mainstream-success, outsider
Period: Four Decades
144 pages · Hardcover · Harry N. Abrams