Art Shay

Dolly Parton, 1975

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.