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On a quiet Sunday we picnicked on the boat of neighbors Sam and Denyse Grode.
On a quiet Sunday we picnicked on the boat of neighbors Sam and Denyse Grode.
On a quiet Sunday we picnicked on the boat of neighbors Sam and Denyse Grode.

On a quiet Sunday we picnicked on the boat of neighbors Sam and Denyse Grode.

Maker Shay, Arthur American, 1922-2018
Datec. 1965; printed 2014
MediumInkjet print
Dimensionspaper: 20 in x 16 in
Credit LineGift of the artist
Object number2014:241
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.
In 1988, I was the first author Florence honored with a book-signing. We sold 70 books. Our son Richard assisted making the picture, over-riding my self timer.
In 1988, I was the first author Florence honored with a book-signing. We sold 70 books. Our son Richard assisted making the picture, over-riding my self timer.
Shay, Arthur
1988; printed 2014
We crossed the country for a GM story in a 1964 wagon they lent us.
We crossed the country for a GM story in a 1964 wagon they lent us.
Shay, Arthur
c. 1965; printed 2014
Florence, just before we eloped in 1944
Florence, just before we eloped in 1944
Shay, Arthur
1944; printed 2014
Florence was rock star Billy Corgan’s guide to published poetry. He bought many poetry books from her and was often lost in deep, probably creative, thought, hanging around Titles’ poetry shelves. Then, gradually availing himself of Florence’s renowned good advice gene, Billy began to regard her as his substitute Jewish mother. Here Florence surprised Billy with a birthday cake at one of our Sunday bagel and lox breakfasts. [...]
Florence was rock star Billy Corgan’s guide to published poetry. He bought many poetry books from her and was often lost in deep, probably creative, thought, hanging around Titles’ poetry shelves. Then, gradually availing himself of Florence’s renowned good advice gene, Billy began to regard her as his substitute Jewish mother. Here Florence surprised Billy with a birthday cake at one of our Sunday bagel and lox breakfasts. [...]
Shay, Arthur
c. 2010; printed 2014
In 1963, my activist wife Florence and I schlepped Steven, Lauren, and some JFK signs to greet him at O’Hare for a Chicago visit. He never arrived - a Chicago death threat intervened and we disappointedly went home with our two signs, which have decorated a dark corner of our living room these past 51 years.
In 1963, my activist wife Florence and I schlepped Steven, Lauren, and some JFK signs to greet him at O’Hare for a Chicago visit. He never arrived - a Chicago death threat intervened and we disappointedly went home with our two signs, which have decorated a dark corner of our living room these past 51 years.
Shay, Arthur
1963; printed 2014
In our backyard we tried to domesticate our two pet ducks, Lucky and Ducky. We couldn’t keep them (gave them back to the Evanston Golf Club) because they were mass producers of waste.
In our backyard we tried to domesticate our two pet ducks, Lucky and Ducky. We couldn’t keep them (gave them back to the Evanston Golf Club) because they were mass producers of waste.
Shay, Arthur
c. 1951; printed 2014
Florence was pregnant with our second child, Harmon, when we visited a famous landmark in the NY Harbor. We both grew up in NY but had never visited it.
Florence was pregnant with our second child, Harmon, when we visited a famous landmark in the NY Harbor. We both grew up in NY but had never visited it.
Shay, Arthur
c. 1950; printed 2014
For long distance travel we preferred the airplane. Here, early in the Sixties we arrived at LaGuardia Field, to visit the kids’ Brooklyn grandparents. Note the slow propeller plane.
For long distance travel we preferred the airplane. Here, early in the Sixties we arrived at LaGuardia Field, to visit the kids’ Brooklyn grandparents. Note the slow propeller plane.
Shay, Arthur
c. 1965; printed 2014
Years later Florence often worked with me on crime stories for Life Magazine, Time, and the Saturday Evening Post. We worked with hidden cameras. In Vegas, she nailed Cleveland Mafia leader Moe Dalitz with her purse camera, two tables away.
Years later Florence often worked with me on crime stories for Life Magazine, Time, and the Saturday Evening Post. We worked with hidden cameras. In Vegas, she nailed Cleveland Mafia leader Moe Dalitz with her purse camera, two tables away.
Shay, Arthur
c. 1948; printed 2014
Florence boards the paddlewheel Delta Queen Mississippi River boat in St. Louis to help me on a three day story.
Florence boards the paddlewheel Delta Queen Mississippi River boat in St. Louis to help me on a three day story.
Shay, Arthur
n.d.; printed 2014
A Man and Child Near a Corn Shack Growing in a Neighbor's Backyard, July 1988
A Man and Child Near a Corn Shack Growing in a Neighbor's Backyard, July 1988
Perez, Antonio
1988
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
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