Art Shay

Welcome Democrats, 1968 Photo Signed

circa 2016

Residents of Deerfield, IL learned a housing developer planned to sell homes in the village to black and white buyers. Many residents opposed integration and sought reasons to halt the development. A smaller group, the Deerfield Citizens for Human Rights, formed in support of the development. In the weeks that followed, Deerfield residents passed a park referendum to condemn the developer’s land. The crisis in Deerfield became a national story, attracting the attention of Martin Luther King Jr., James Baldwin, and Eleanor Roosevelt. The activists rallied and sang freedom songs at dusk on May 18, 1963 captured here by Art. After years of demonstrations and legal battles, the land became parks that stand today. This artwork is not framed. Please contact the gallery for framing information. Art Shay Deerfield Rally, 1963 silver gelatin print 16h x 20w in 40.64h x 50.80w cm ASY15079 “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

Art Shay's true love was street photography. It is evidently clear in this shot entitled "The Three, Maybe Four, Ages of Women" with the young mannequin bride, the middle aged women...

Born in Cologne in 1922, died in Hamburg in 2004. Apprenticeship as a machinist from 1937, then studied engineering (not completed due to the war). Served in the war and imprisoned....

Malcolm X Funeral signed in ink Veteran Village Voice photographer Fred W. McDarrah Over a 50-year span, McDarrah documented the rise of the Beat Generatio...