Art Shay

James Baldwin Standing, Deerfield, IL 1961, Deerfield Integration Rally

circa 2010

This publicity photo of Oprah Winfrey and famed choreographer Michael Peters was for a fantasy sequence with two of the stars from the hit musical "Dreamgirls". Oprah had been heard saying this was the best thing since 64 Crayola Crayons and that she cried tears of joy upon hearing the news that this would become a reality. She became a "Dreamgirl" for the day but the metaphor of her "dream" life is what is so intriguing about this photograph. This piece is matted and framed in a simple black frame measuring 16.25h x 20.25w inches. Richard Shay Oprah Rehearses Dream Girls with Michael Peters, 1984 archival pigment print 12h x 16w in 30.48h x 40.64w cm A.P. RSY003 Richard Shay grew up in Deerfield, Illinois where his father, the famed photojournalist, Art Shay and his wife Florence had moved to raise their family. Surrounded by the influence of his larger-than-life dad, Richard would go on to follow in his father's path. After traveling the world in his early 20's, Richard returned to Chicago and began photographing at The Oprah Winfrey Show. He became the family photographer for basketball player and Chicago treasure, Michael Jordan. He would go on to tour the US and Russia with The Smashing Pumpkins...

As the personal photographer for this much loved Chicago icon, Richard Shay captured MJ on his 40th birthday celebration. This Artist Proof is matted and framed in a simple black frame measuring 16.25h x 20.25w x 1d inches. Richard Shay Michael Jordan on His 40th Birthday, 2003 archival pigment print 12h x 16w in 30.48h x 40.64w cm A.P. RSY006 Richard Shay grew up in Deerfield, Illinois where his father, the famed photojournalist, Art Shay and his wife Florence had moved to raise their family. Surrounded by the influence of his larger-than-life dad, Richard would go on to follow in his father's path. After traveling the world in his early 20's, Richard returned to Chicago and began photographing at The Oprah Winfrey Show. He became the family photographer for basketball player and Chicago treasure, Michael Jordan. He would go on to tour the US and Russia with The Smashing Pumpkins...

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...

Art Shay's love of Street Photography is evident is this photograph simply titled "Vegas". A plethora of restaurant and hotel signs pay homage to Mondrian. These colorful signs cov...