En 1993, John Pilson recibió su MFA de Yale University School of Art, New Haven, CT. Ha tenido exposiciones individuales en Nicole Klagsburn Gallery, New York, NY (2005); Raucci/Santamaria Gallery, Naples, Italy (2005); MW Projects, London, England (2004); y P.S.1 Contemporary Art Center, Long Island City, NY (2000). Sus muestras colectivas incluyen Simulation City, Centre Pour L’Image Contemporaine, Geneva, Switzerland; The Moderns, Castello di Rivoli, Museo d’Arte Contemporanea, Turin, Italy; Moving Pictures, Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum, New York, NY; XLIX Biennale di Venezia, Venice, Italy; y MOMA 2000: Open Ends, The Museum of Modern Art, New York, NY. El artista vive y trabaja en New York, NY.