Michael James O’Brien

Lady Bunny, Wigstock, NYC, Girlfriend Series. Black and White Portrait Photo

1992

“Nobody wakes up looking like Dietrich or Garbo” - Kabuki Starshine Men, Women, and Drag, draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work of...

“If two people remember your name, then you’ve left a mark. If you shoot an arrow and it goes real high, hooray for you.” - Dorian Corey. Men, Women, and...

Men, Women, and Drag, draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural ...

Men, Women, and Drag, draws inspiration from his diverse roles as a photographer, poet, and activist. His work often intersects with themes of identity, social justice, and cultural ...

Karen Seltenrich by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1970 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 14/150, signed and note...

Karen Seltenrich by Baron Wolman, taken in San Francisco in 1970 as part of Baron's Groupies series, taken for Rolling Stone magazine. Limited edition number 2/150, signed and noted...

At what appears to be a costume party, this beautiful woman, draped in a sheer tunic, must have been the center of attention. Dressed as Aphrodite, she clearly commands those around her. With his camera as his constant companion, Shay was able to capture moments of everyday life and make them extraordinary. This artwork is currently unframed. Contact gallery for framing options. Art Shay Woman in Sheer Dress silver gelatin print 20h x 16w in 50.80h x 40.64w cm 7ED.1.20.12005 ASY12005 “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

This black and white portrait of a young RuPaul, taken by Paula Gately Tillman in 1988, is offered by CLAMP in New York City. Miss Guy, Wigstock,...