Gary Erbe
RENOWNED TROMPE L’OEIL ARTIST
Gary Erbe, renowned Trompe l’oeil (pronounce “Tromp Loy”) artist was born in 1944 in Union City, New Jersey where he maintained his studio from 1972-2006. Unable to attend art school, he worked as an engraver from 1965-1970 to support himself and family, painting nights and weekends to develop his skills. In 1967, Erbe discovered Trompe l’oeil painting and its masters. It was then that he recognized his particular place. In 1969, Erbe conceived a way of creating paintings that would be more contemporary and a departure from the 19th Century Trompe l’oeil masters. By freeing objects from their natural surroundings via the illusion of levitation and through the juxtaposition of objects that in reality had no relationship, he could create thought-provoking paintings. In the same year, Erbe coined the term “Levitational Realism”. In 1970, Erbe decided to pursue his art full time and actively began to exhibit his work.
Erbe has exhibited extensively since 1970 with solo exhibitions at museums and galleries throughout America, Asia, and Europe and his works are in the permanent collection of many institutions. Erbe has also garnered many awards and honors over the years including an unprecedented six Gold Medals at The annual exhibitions held at The National Arts Club, New York City. He also received the Medal for Lifetime Achievement in American Art from The Butler Institute of American Art, Ohio and the Salmagundi Club Medal of Honor, New York City. He also received the Gold Medal from The National Museum of Sports, Indiana; First Prize Award from The National Arts Club, NYC and Gold Medal of Honor from Audubon Artists, New York City, and First Prize from The Peto Studio Museum, NJ amongst others.
Erbe’s work combines flat space forms that are exaggerated and enhanced by shadow, light, and color. The result is a pure three-dimensional illusion. While there are and will always be elements of Trompe I’oeil in his work, he has less of an interest in fooling the eye in favor of stimulating the mind.
Erbe was honored with a 25 year traveling retrospective in 1995 and a 40-year traveling retrospective in 2010. The Butler Institute of American Art, OH published a scholarly written 300-page hardcover book on Erbe’s art and life titled “Footprints: The Art and Life of Gary Erbe” in conjunction with a 50-year traveling retrospective exhibition in 2017. Recently, a documentary of Erbe’s life and art titled “Discovering Gary Erbe…..an American Legacy” has been produced by Robert and Cheryl Schwartz, principals of Motiva Consensus, LLC.
Erbe maintains his studio in Nutley and continues active painting. Gary came to Nutley in 2009 and, most fittingly, settled in the Enclosure, a historic street of Nutley where many Nutley artists lived. Since moving to Nutley, Gary has been very active in the Nutley community. Gary has presented at the Nutley Museum, the Nutley Public Library with a book signing and in support of Library Card signup month, and he and has been a champion of the Nutley Historical Society. He recently painted a tribute to fellow inductee, Annie Oakley, titled “Annie Oakley: Little Sure Shot,” which was unveiled at the Nutley Museum before it was sent to be displayed at the Butler Institute of American Art in Ohio. A lithograph copy was generously donated to the Nutley Public Library by Erbe which is on display in the Reference room. To learn more about Erbe and his work, visit www.garyerbe.com