John Samuel Waters Jr.

John Samuel Waters Jr. is a Professor at The European Graduate School (EGS), renowned for his provocative contributions to film, art, and literature. Known as the 'Pope of Trash,' he gained fame with films like Pink Flamingos (1972) and Hairspray (1988), which blend transgressive humor with social critique. His work spans filmmaking, visual art installations, photography, and sculpture, exhibited globally, including retrospectives at the New Museum (2004) and the Baltimore Museum of Art (2018–2019).

Waters’ research interests focus on extreme human behavior, counterculture, and the intersection of art with societal norms. He has authored multiple books, including Shock Value (1981) and Make Trouble (2017), and delivered lectures such as the Filth 101 series. His accolades include the French Order of Arts and Letters (2018) and a Grammy nomination for Carsick (2015).

Waters’ visual art, often described as 'grotesque but trivial,' challenges conventional aesthetics. His career reflects a lifelong exploration of rebellion, fashion, and the 'art of bad taste,' influencing generations of artists and filmmakers.