Art Shay

Maxwell Street Dog circa 1949, Photo Signed

circa 2016

Art Shay photographed the community of Brooklyn, IL for Ebony Magazine, 1952. These photographs are the result of that experience. Brooklyn (popularly known as Lovejoy), is a village in St. Clair County, Illinois, United States. Located two miles north of East St. Louis, Illinois and three miles northeast of downtown St. Louis, Missouri, it is the oldest town incorporated by African Americans in the United States. It was founded by freed and fugitive slaves from St. Louis, led by "Mother" Priscilla Baltimore in the period of 1829 to 1839. Its motto is "Founded by Chance, Sustained by Courage". This photograph is framed. Art Shay Brooklyn Twins, 1952 silver gelatin print 14h x 11w in 35.56h x 27.94w cm ASY15054 “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

Street Photography was a true love of Art Shay as is clearly evident in this 1949 Vintage Photo of a street transaction. The photograph is matted and framed in a simple black metal ...

"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...

“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 20...

Street Photography /2000. Portugal / Analog camera photo / B&W 35 mm film. 400 iso / Gelatin Silver Print Signed, titled, negative date & p...

Street Photography /2000. Portugal / Analog camera photo / B&W 35 mm film. 400 iso / Gelatin Silver Print Signed, titled, negative date & print date on verso. Ana Maria is visual ar...

Street Photography /2003. Portugal / Analog camera photo / B&W 35 mm film. 400 iso / Gelatin Silver Print Signed, titled, negative date & p...

Street Photography /2000. Portugal / Analog camera photo / B&W 35 mm film. 400 iso / Gelatin Silver Print Signed, titled, negative date & print date on verso. Ana Maria is visual ar...