Straight’s works–sometimes abstract, sometimes cubist–have been compared to those of American Modernists Arthur Dove and Marsden Hartley. He often uses mathematical structures as part of a composition and titles his works with a sequential number, giving a sense that each work is part of an ongoing exploration of colors, media, and forms.
But what makes Robert Straight’s works stand out is his focus on experimentation and making art using methods traditional painters would never consider. From creating works that deliver a sense of depth to placing laser-cut pictures onto wooden canvases or working on different canvases with unusual, circular shapes, Straight aims not to portray existing images, but instead to create his own worlds influenced by contemporary things. He draws inspiration from sources like childhood experiences with textiles, mathematical concepts like prime numbers and algorithms, or even Internet color blindness tests to create an ever-expanding collective body of work.
To see more of his work, visit his Web site and the Strategy and Structure section of the University Museum’s Web page.
Listen to the Interview
Bob Straight, Art.
28:47
27.6 MB
About our Guest
Robert Straight has been working as an artist for over 40 years, and has been a member of the University of Delaware faculty since 1980. As a member of the faculty, Professor Straight teaches various courses including painting in the undergraduate BFA/BA program, and advises both graduate undergraduate students. His artistic works are primarily painting–but extended using other media. He received his MFA at the Cranbrook Academy of Art in Michigan and his BA at California State University in Long Beach.