Straukas’ photography, often described in terms of lyrical realism, is characterised by a warm, optimistic atmosphere. It emphasises the positive aspects of everyday life and highlights its beauty. His most famous series is The Last Bell (1972–1987) in which Straukas, who worked for a long time as a teacher, returned to schools to document their graduation celebrations. Not only did he sensitively convey the transformation between childhood and maturity in his photographs, but he also created a general collective portrait of the youth of the Soviet era by exposing hints of rebellion and eroticism unrestrained by uniforms.
Collection of the Lithuanian National Museum of Art