The Lava Lady: Suzan Strauss 1930 – 2016
//The Lava Lady on La Brea Boulevard, Los Angeles, 1990s. Photo: http://antebellumgallery.blogspot.co.uk//
Sad to note the passing of Suzan Strauss, whose intriguing, otherworldly presence illuminated the streets around Melrose and La Brea in Los Angeles in the 80s and 90s.
Choosing to walk the otherwise empty pavements in her ever-changing extraordinary outfits, she was known as The Lava Lady since her residence on Detroit was clad in black lava rock (and apparently the interior was not lit by electricity, but candles). In my circle Strauss was known as That Lady, as in “I was parking in Ralph’s and saw That Lady” or “I nearly spoke to That Lady at Fairfax High flea market but didn’t want to disturb her”.
//In West Hollywood. Photo: http://antebellumgallery.blogspot.co.uk//
Ethereal and very softly spoken, Strauss presented an awe-inspiring performance art piece, promenading the streets of West Hollywood magisterially in her self-made garb which was always matched with towering platform boots.
//Suzan Strauss. Photo: http://antebellumgallery.blogspot.co.uk//
//The Lava House on Detroit. Photo: http://antebellumgallery.blogspot.co.uk//
According to the must-visit Antebellum blog The Lava Lady’s full name was Ray Suzan Strauss. Heiress to the Levi’s fortune, in the 00s she moved to Palm Beach Florida, where she became known as The Wellington Witch. Her house on Detroit was desecrated into normality, the black lava rock removed and the exterior painted beige…
Antebellum has the full story and many more photos – see here.