Baltimore Museum Of Art Presents First Retrospective Of John Waters In His Hometown

Known for his sense of humor, deft implementation of the lowbrow, and provocative observations of society, John Waters will be returning to Baltimore this fall for his first major museum retrospective in his hometown. From October 7, 2018 to January 6, 2019, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) presents John Waters: Indecent Exposure, a lifetime celebration of Waters' visual artworks comprising over 160 photographs, sculptures, soundworks, and videos made since the early 1990s.

Organized around themes of popular culture, films and the film industry, the contemporary art world, and the artist's childhood and identity, Indecent Exposure gives an unprecedented view of Waters' artistic career and imaginative process.

The BMA worked directly with the artist and celebrated filmmaker to develop this exhibition; in close partnership with Waters, BMA Senior Curator of Contemporary Art Kristen Hileman selected film snippets, photographs, montages, video works, still lives, readymades, and sculptures that represent Waters' culturally rebellious ethos and artistic vision.

Highlights include film excerpts from works like Children Who Smoke (2009), tongue-in-cheek readymades like Campaign Button (2004), and a G-rated version of Waters' celebrated Pink Flamingos.