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Art Shay

American, 1922-2018

Art Shay is a great photographer. His work over the past 50 years has artfully captured the beauty, humor and pathos of America. Studs Terkel says, “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of Playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner says, “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago artist says, “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Tom Dyja, author of The Third Coast: When Chicago Built the American Dream says, “Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, novelist says, “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, art editor, Paris says, “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel, photographer; IIT Institute of Design President says, “I have one of Art Shay’s pictures over my desk. It reminds me every morning of my Chicago roots. Arts photos, like me, have the Chicago accent, which may be to say he’s telling you the truth. I think it takes a realist to see the humor in things. I know it takes a realist to see the depths of tragedy. Shay’s work is so real it feels like a Madison Street guy tapping me on the forearm,” says David Mamet.

Hugh Hefner in His Bedroom Office, Chicago 1961, Black and White Photography
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
"Nelson Algren's Chicago: Photographs by Art Shay", page 34. Hugh Hefner liked Algren and vice versa. After Hefner purchased several of his short stori...
Category

1960s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Silver Gelatin

James Baldwin Standing, Deerfield, IL 1961, Deerfield Integration Rally
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
"In 1961 Art Shay encounted the African American writer and itellectual James Baldwin at a neighbor's home in Deerfield, Illinois. Baldwin was visiting the lily-white suburb because it had recently drawn international attention for its stand against residential racial integration. He attended a house partyon behalf of the American Freedom of Residence Fund, a national oranization of liberal integrationists that supported the beleagured local group, the Deerfield Citizens for Human Rights. Shay captured Baldwin hiding away in the kitchen. As he looks back at the camera, Baldwin seems to ponder the absurdity of his environment in Deerfield, where residents seemed so scared of having a dark-skinned neighbor like him." {Experpt from Troublemakers: Chicago Freedom Struggles Through the Lens of Art Shay by Erik S. Gellman} Art Shay James Baldwin, 1961 archival pigment print 19h x 13w in 48.26h x 33.02w cm Framed: 21.75h x 16.50w x 1.25d in 55.24h x 41.91w x 3.17d cm ASY365 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart...
Category

2010s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Archival Pigment

JFK in Profile, 1960 - Color Photograph Matted and Framed
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Photographer Art Shay was able to get up close and personal in this intimate portrait of John F. Kennedy. Being devoid of any background interference adds to the power of this portrait. It is matted and framed in a black metal frame measuring 18h x 13.75w x 1.25d inches. Art Shay JFK in Profile, 1960 archival pigment print 14h x 11w in 35.56h x 27.94w cm ASY15013 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart...
Category

2010s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Archival Pigment

Marlon Brando, Libertyville, Illinois, 1950 - Silver Gelatin Print
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
On assignment for Life Magazine in 1950, Art Shay photographed Marlon Brando at his family farm in Libertyville, Illinois, just north of Chicago. Looking straight into Art's lens, Brando is innocent of the fame that is about to become his world. He went on to a career spanning sixty years including winning two Oscars for Best Actor. This photograph is unframed. Contact the gallery for framing options. Art Shay Brando Portrait, 1950 silver gelatin print 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm ASY12088 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel, photographer; IIT Institute of Design President “I have one of Art Shay’s pictures over my desk. It reminds me every morning of my Chicago roots. Arts photos, like me, have the Chicago accent, which may be to say he’s telling you the truth. I think it takes a realist to see the humor in things. I know it takes a realist to see the depths of tragedy. Art’s work is so real it feels like a Madison Street guy tapping me on the forearm.” David Mamet
Category

1950s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Blues Guitarist, Buddy Guy, 1966, Playing Guitar, Framed Photograph by Art Shay
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time, this black and white photograph of Buddy Guy was taken by Art Shay in 1966. In 2016, Buddy Guy chose this photo for his 80th birthday celebration poster. It is signed on the front of the image. It is matted in a heavy mat and framed in a black metal frame. It measures 25.5h x 19.5w inches. Art Shay Buddy Guy, 1966 archival pigment print 19h x 13w in 48.26h x 33.02w cm ASY177 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...
Category

1960s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Archival Pigment

Girls Girls Girls, State St. Strip Joint Near Death, Chicago, 1966
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
This was seemingly always a seedy joint. Opened in 1906 for the Jones, Linick & Schaefer circuit as the U.S. Music Hall, it was shut down briefly in 1916 for indecency, as it was always primarily a burlesque house. In 1922 an abandoned baby was found there; in 1932 there was a rapist and killer caught there; over the years gambling was broken up, mob links were found, and it was shut down repeatedly. By 1934 it had become the State-Harrison Theatre. By the mid-1940’s, it had gone burlesque before the city shut it down at the end of 1954 for lewd conduct. By 1967 it was called the Rialto Theatre, probably for the associations people had with the old Rialto Theatre a couple blocks north, when it was shut down again. It reopened in 1971. In November 1974 it closed briefly after being victim of a series of coordinated bombings of Chicago porn houses - the Rialto Theatre, Follies Theatre, Newberry Theatre, and Bijou Theatre were victims. It soon reopened, but was shut down for good a few months later in 1975 as part of a code crackdown that shut a number of theatres. Art Shay State Street Strip Joint Near Death, 1966 archival pigment print, unnumbered edition 16h x 20w in 40.64h x 50.80w cm ASY169 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Archival Pigment

Blues Great Howlin' Wolf, Chicago 1966, Framed Black and White Photo by Art Shay
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Howlin' Wolf was one of blues music's all-time greats, known for his electric guitar-based style. Photographed here in 1966 by Art Shay, this black and white image is signed on the bottom right corner. It is matted and framed, measuring 27.5h x 21.5w inches. Art Shay Howlin' Wolf, 1966 silver gelatin print 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm ASY199 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart. What is it about Chicago that keeps giving us men like this?” Russell Banks, Novelist “The best images of Simone de Beauvoir and her times have been passed down to us by Henri Cartier-Bresson, Gisele Freund, Robert Doisneau, Georges Brassai, and in America, the Chicago-based Art Shay, all world-class photographers.” Christophe Loviny, Art Editor, Paris “Art Shay is the best photo-journalist Chicago ever produced.” Arthur Siegel...
Category

1960s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Fallen Starr, 1966, Vince Lombardi Bawling Out Bart Starr, Green Bay Packers
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Art Shay Fallen Starr, 1966 archival pigment print 17h x 22w in 43.18h x 55.88w cm ASY234 “Art Shay’s photography shakes you up, sets you down gently, pats you on the head and then kicks you in the ass.” Roger Ebert “[Shay’s work] ranks with some of the greats of the 20th century.” Ellen & Richard Sandor, Renowned photo collectors “I’ve admired Art Shay’s work for almost forty years, and he keeps getting better. He can do anything with a camera, but what he mostly does is capture real moments and transform them into visual poetry. His work continues to be an inspiration to me.” William Friedkin, Director of French Connection “Art Shay is one of our finest photographers. His work over the past fifty years has artfully captured the beauty, humor, and pathos of America.” Studs Terkel “Art Shay is one of the best photojournalists I know. I’ve been a fan of his work since the early 1950s - before the launch of playboy magazine.” Hugh Hefner “Algren, Terkel, Royko, they gave us a voice. Art Shay gave us a face.” Tony Fitzpatrick, Chicago Artist “Art Shay is America’s Cartier-Bresson.” Thomas Dyja, author of The Third Coast “Chicago’s Art Shay in many ways is to American photography what Nelson Algren was to American writing: that rare and absolutely necessary citizen who’s blessed with a cold eye, a clear head, and a warm heart...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Archival Pigment

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Art Shay art for sale on 1stDibs.

Find a wide variety of authentic Art Shay available for sale on 1stDibs. You can also browse by medium to find art by Art Shay in silver gelatin print, archival pigment print, pigment print and more. Much of the original work by this artist or collective was created during the 20th century and is mostly associated with the contemporary style. Not every interior allows for large Art Shay, so small editions measuring 7 inches across are available. Customers who are interested in this artist might also find the work of Bill Armstrong, Lynn Goldsmith, and Mark Klett.

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