John David Mooney is known internationally for large scale public sculptures.  The sculptures, which frequently involve lighting effects, use existing landscape and architecture.  Mooney's sculptures, although temporary, have an unusual memory factor and continue to be published and referred to long after they are no longer on display.  Past projects include a sculpture for the Dubrovnik Festival, Croatia, celebrating residents' freedom from war; "Light Muse," the transformation of the Tribune Tower into a light sculpture to celebrate the Tribune's 150th Anniversary in 1997; and "Star Dance," a 48-story light sculpture commissioned for the Atlanta Olympic Games in 1996.  Mooney has been invited to create a Millennium project for Rome that will tie together Christianity, Judaism and Islam.  

Mooney created the John David Mooney Foundation in 1975 to emphasize the spiritual and social aspects of being an artist.  The Foundation is dedicated to promoting public art, with special emphasis on community access and involvement in the entire art process and to presenting the work of international artists and architects.  As Artistic Director of the Foundation, he conducts a training program for apprentice artists from around the world.  The Foundation's "Chicago Prize" program is a residency and exhibitions program awarded to outstanding international artists.  In addition to the "Chicago Prize" program, the foundation hosts an exhibition and lecture series by cutting-edge international artists. 

The artist's awards and honors include: 
 

• Fellow of the Royal Society of the Arts, England

 
• Fellow of the Graham Foundation for Advanced Study in the Fine Arts; 

 
• Fellowships from National Endowment of the Arts, Illinois Arts Council, Indiana Arts Commission, and Brooklyn Museum of Art

 
• Jacques Gold Medal for the Fine Arts from University of Notre Dame

 
• Trustee of St. Mary-of-the-Woods College

 
• Member of the Mayor's Task Force for Navy Pier and  Design Member of the Design Consortium for Navy Pier

 
• Design Member of the American Institute of Architects' Task Force for the Redesign of Chicago's 27-mile Lakefront