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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.

Titter, Scantily Clad Woman Viewing Titter Magazine, 1950 Vintage Photograph
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
“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...
Category

1950s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Marlon Brando Kissing Dog, Libertyville, IL 1950 - Large Format Black & White
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
This is a large scale black and white photo of Marlon Brando as a young man at his family farm with his dog. In 1951 Life Magazine asked Art Shay to photograph Marlon Brando at his family home in Libertyville, IL. This is one of the photos from that shoot. In 2000, Art Shay published Album for an Age: Unconventional Words and Pictures from the Twentieth Century. This artwork is matted and framed. Art Shay Marlon Brando Kissing Dog...
Category

1950s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Archival Pigment

Caitlyn Bruce Jenner, Montreal Olympics, 1976, Black and White Photograph Framed
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
This iconic photo of Bruce Jenner (aka Caitlyn Jenner) is at the moment of his decathlon win at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. The photographer, Art Shay, s...
Category

1970s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Silver Gelatin

Dean Martin and Frank Sinatra, Las Vegas 1961, The Rat Pack, Black & White Photo
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
Two of the famed Rat Pack are shown here is this playful photograph by Art Shay. Dean Martin carries Frank Sinatra across the stage while the other members enjoy the antics in this ...
Category

1960s Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Silver Gelatin

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

Safari Bath, 1955
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
“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...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Contemporary Art Shay

Materials

Archival Pigment

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

Martin Luther King Speaking at Soldier Field, Chicago 1966
By Art Shay
Located in Chicago, IL
“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

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Art Shay Sale Prices

Sold DateSold PriceCategoryMediumCreation Year
2024$2,400Landscape Photography, Color PhotographyArchival Pigment Printcirca 2010
$2,400
Average sold price of items in the past 12 months
$2,400-$2,400
Sold price range of items in the past 12 months

Artists Similar to Art Shay

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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