Look, it's not that I don't think John Waters is a great artist. It's just that I think his best work is in the medium of film, not art world art. But as a filmmaker who also hangs out in the art world, who hasn't yet achieved Watersian levels of greatness, and who is also making objects and pictures that I think ought to exist, I have great respect for his commitment and courage.
Which doesn't mean I'll be paying $20,000-30,000 today for Playdate, his 2006 sculpture fantasizing an alternate reality where "two famous media villains," baby Michael Jackson and baby Charles Manson might have saved each other from their fates, if only they'd met early on.
Lot 136: JOHN WATERS, Playdate, 2006 ed. of 5, probably not selling today at Phillips de Pury [phillipsdepury.com]
Press release: John Waters, "Unwatchable," April 21 - May 20, 2006 Marianne Boesky Gallery [marianneboeskygallery.com]
update: well what do I know, someone bought it for $25,000.
weird, like he hadn't seen these?
http://jemimaanddolly.com/
Jemima Brown's a pretty well known artist, both in the states and London.
who knows? that looks completely different, in concept, subject, and fabrication.