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Florence and new-born Harmon in 1951. At four Harmon would create patterned tracks in the snow, and a few years later would win his junior high science fair with an electronic roller skate directed by the light from his flashlight. Harmon, in the central tragedy of our family’s life, would be murdered in the Hippie jungles of Florida in 1972 two weeks before his 21st birthday. His body was never recovered.
Florence and new-born Harmon in 1951. At four Harmon would create patterned tracks in the snow, and a few years later would win his junior high science fair with an electronic roller skate directed by the light from his flashlight. Harmon, in the central tragedy of our family’s life, would be murdered in the Hippie jungles of Florida in 1972 two weeks before his 21st birthday. His body was never recovered.
Florence and new-born Harmon in 1951. At four Harmon would create patterned tracks in the snow, and a few years later would win his junior high science fair with an electronic roller skate directed by the light from his flashlight. Harmon, in the central tragedy of our family’s life, would be murdered in the Hippie jungles of Florida in 1972 two weeks before his 21st birthday. His body was never recovered.

Florence and new-born Harmon in 1951. At four Harmon would create patterned tracks in the snow, and a few years later would win his junior high science fair with an electronic roller skate directed by the light from his flashlight. Harmon, in the central tragedy of our family’s life, would be murdered in the Hippie jungles of Florida in 1972 two weeks before his 21st birthday. His body was never recovered.

Maker Shay, Arthur American, 1922-2018
Date1951; printed 2014
MediumInkjet print
Dimensionspaper: 20 in x 16 in
Credit LineGift of the artist
Object number2014:217
About the ArtistOne of Chicago’s most prolific photographers, Art Shay published more than 30,000 photographs during his career, which spanned more than half a century and covered such subjects as John F. Kennedy’s 1960 presidential campaign, the fights of Muhammad Ali, Hugh Hefner’s infamous bedroom office, the last man alive to have seen Abraham Lincoln’s corpse, Chicago police clubbing demonstrators at the 1968 Democratic Convention in Chicago, and a swan snubbing a pig as they swim. Some of his favorite photographs, however, are those of Chicago writer Nelson Algren, author of The Man with the Golden Arm and winner of the first National Book Award. Shay and Algren met in 1949 when Shay pitched a story on “the prose poet of the Chicago slums” to his editors at Life magazine. The two men became close friends and spent time roaming near the West Side, encountering addicts, hookers, alcoholics, bums, cops, and hustlers, among many other street characters. The gritty photo essay was never published, but photographs from the series are currently held in many private and public collections. Both passionate about and critical of Chicago, Shay wrote a novel, Never Come Morning, depicting the seedy underbelly of crime and poverty in the city, which was banned by the Chicago Public Library System. After Algren’s death in 1981, Shay published Nelson Algren’s Chicago, a collection of his photographs from the men’s years together as well as accompanying texts.

Art Shay worked first as a reporter and then as a photographer for numerous publications including Life, Fortune, The New York Times, and Sports Illustrated. His photograph of Russian Premier Nikita Khrushchev on an Iowa farm won Life Magazine’s “Picture of the Year” in 1959. Shay also published several books on photography and sports, including Nelson Algren’s Chicago (1988), Album for an Age (2000), and Animals (2002). His play, Where Have You Gone, Jimmy Stewart was produced by Chicago’s American Theater Company (ATC) in 2002.
Exhibition title card: This exhibition is dedicated to the two geniuses Florence and I loved who died too young- Our 20 year old son Harmon who was murdered in the Hippie jungles of Florida in 1972, and our dear friend and benefactor, the master metal sculptor, Dan Blue.
Exhibition title card: This exhibition is dedicated to the two geniuses Florence and I loved who died too young- Our 20 year old son Harmon who was murdered in the Hippie jungles of Florida in 1972, and our dear friend and benefactor, the master metal sculptor, Dan Blue.
Shay, Arthur
n.d.; printed 2014
Billy rarely has guests at his studio. I usually went to photograph him- and one day he invited Florence while he was composing on his ancient harpsichord. Florence picked up the beat and for fifteen minutes had the unique experience of dancing to new music. Billy would sing at her funeral in August 2012.
Billy rarely has guests at his studio. I usually went to photograph him- and one day he invited Florence while he was composing on his ancient harpsichord. Florence picked up the beat and for fifteen minutes had the unique experience of dancing to new music. Billy would sing at her funeral in August 2012.
Shay, Arthur
c. 2010; printed 2014
Harmon appeared in his junior high play, gaining the applause of his mother and siblings Lauren, Jane and Steven.
Harmon appeared in his junior high play, gaining the applause of his mother and siblings Lauren, Jane and Steven.
Shay, Arthur
c. 1965; printed 2014
Florence wouldn’t accept any child’s excuse for poor grades. Here she silently chides Richard. One ofFlorence proudly leads sons Harmon and Steve into the synagogue for Richard’s Bar Mitzvah in 1966. Richard nervously holds his prayer book. Florence was 44.
Florence wouldn’t accept any child’s excuse for poor grades. Here she silently chides Richard. One ofFlorence proudly leads sons Harmon and Steve into the synagogue for Richard’s Bar Mitzvah in 1966. Richard nervously holds his prayer book. Florence was 44.
Shay, Arthur
1966; printed 2014
Reading and books were the mainstays of Florence’s life. Until a month before she died she liked to sit on our deck and read mindless mysteries under our beloved begonia trees planted by Harmon when he was 11 in 1962. As she grew weaker in her final days I would cut the heavy books in thirds so she could handle (our joke) heavy pop literature.
Reading and books were the mainstays of Florence’s life. Until a month before she died she liked to sit on our deck and read mindless mysteries under our beloved begonia trees planted by Harmon when he was 11 in 1962. As she grew weaker in her final days I would cut the heavy books in thirds so she could handle (our joke) heavy pop literature.
Shay, Arthur
c. 1980; printed 2014
San Bruno Calif. June 16, 1942 "Old Mr. Konda in his barrack apartment, Tanforan Assembly Center, after supper. He lives here with his two sons, his married daughter and her husband. They share two small rooms together. His daughter is seen behind him, knitting. He has been a truck farmer and raised his family who are also farmers, in Centerville, Alameda County, where his children were born"
San Bruno Calif. June 16, 1942 "Old Mr. Konda in his barrack apartment, Tanforan Assembly Center, after supper. He lives here with his two sons, his married daughter and her husband. They share two small rooms together. His daughter is seen behind him, knitting. He has been a truck farmer and raised his family who are also farmers, in Centerville, Alameda County, where his children were born"
Lange, Dorothea
June 16, 1942
Arthur Sasse / Albert Einstein Sticking Out His Tongue (1951)
Arthur Sasse / Albert Einstein Sticking Out His Tongue (1951)
Miller, Sandro
2014; printed 2019
One of Edgar Allen's children sitting on the bed in the house on his farm. There are no sheets, pillowcases, or pillows (other than makeshift) in use. Bedding usually consists of castoff rags and a few old blankets. Near Milford, Iowa. They are helped by the Resettlement Administration
One of Edgar Allen's children sitting on the bed in the house on his farm. There are no sheets, pillowcases, or pillows (other than makeshift) in use. Bedding usually consists of castoff rags and a few old blankets. Near Milford, Iowa. They are helped by the Resettlement Administration
Lee, Russell
December 1936
Nelson Mandela in his backyard in Soweto on his first day out of captivity after 27 years of imprisonment by the SA Government for his anti-apartheid activities, South Africa
Nelson Mandela in his backyard in Soweto on his first day out of captivity after 27 years of imprisonment by the SA Government for his anti-apartheid activities, South Africa
Turnley, Peter
1990
Washington, D.C. Young boy standing in the doorway of his home on Seaton Road in the northwest section. His leg was cut off by a streetcar while he was playing in the street
Washington, D.C. Young boy standing in the doorway of his home on Seaton Road in the northwest section. His leg was cut off by a streetcar while he was playing in the street
Parks, Gordon
June 1942
A Man Dressed as Charro on his Horse Waits for his Take-Out Food Before the Start of the Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade Down Cermak in Chicago, September 2000
A Man Dressed as Charro on his Horse Waits for his Take-Out Food Before the Start of the Annual Cinco de Mayo Parade Down Cermak in Chicago, September 2000
Perez, Antonio
2000
Pete Hernandez Straightens the Wheels of his Chevrolet as his Car Hops Nearly 35 Inches Off the Street at La Baugh Woods Near Foster and Cicero in Chicago, May 2003
Pete Hernandez Straightens the Wheels of his Chevrolet as his Car Hops Nearly 35 Inches Off the Street at La Baugh Woods Near Foster and Cicero in Chicago, May 2003
Perez, Antonio
2003
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