American photographer and painter. Graduated in 1980 from the University of Florida with a degree in mathematics before continuing his studies at Florida State University’s Master’s program where he trained as a photographer and sculptor. Straus’s beginning work captures nocturnal landscapes inspired by his surroundings in Florida. Shifted to painting alongside move to New York City in 1990 and developed his signature style of natural landscapes framed by dark humor and social commentary. Passionate about the environment and creates work to raise concern about the ways in which modern culture alters the human relationship with the natural world. Straus’s first solo exhibition, “Greetings from Toxic Paradise”, 1993, was shown at the Nohra Haime Gallery, where he continues to be represented today.
