Gary T. Erbe, a self
taught painter in the medium of oil, was born in Union
City, New Jersey in 1944 where he maintained his studio
from 1972 to 2005. Erbe was employed as an engraver from
1965 to 1970 while developing his personal approach to
Trompe l’oeil painting. In 1969, he coined the term
“Levitational Realism” which was a break away from
traditional realism. In 1970, he made a decision, which
would profoundly change his life; he decided to pursue
art full time. He has been painting professionally for
40 years. His work has evolved over the years.
Erbe has exhibited
extensively since 1970 with solo shows at The Butler
Institute of American Art, Ohio, The Springfield Art
Museum, MO, The Montclair Art Museum, NJ, The Boca Raton
Museum, Fl., The New Jersey State Museum, The New
Britain Museum of American Art, CT, The Canton Art
Institute, OH, The National Arts Club, NYC, The James A.
Michener Art Museum, PA; The Woodmere Art Museum, PA;
The Alexander Gallery, NYC , ACA Galleries, NYC, Harmon
Meek Gallery, Naples, Fl. and others. Erbe is currently
working on a major 40-year retrospective exhibition,
which begins at The Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico,
December 21, 2008 - February 15, 2009, The Butler
Institute of American Art, Ohio, March 15, 2009-June 7,
2009; Salmagundi Club, New York City, July 13,
2009-August 7, 2009; and Boca Raton Museum of Art,
Florida, September 8, 2009-November 8, 2009.
A partial list of
awards include The Julius Hallgarten Award at The
National Academy of Design, 1975, Allied Artists of
America Gold Medal, 1975, 1984,1991, 2006 and 2007;
Audubon Artists Gold Medal, 1998, The National Arts Club
First Prize, 1997, The Butler Institute of America Art
National Mid-Year First Place Award, 2002, Presidents
Award, The Salmagundi Club, Audubon Artists Silver
Medal, 2002, The Butler Institute of American Art
Lifetime Achievement Medal, 2003, Salmagundi Club Medal
of Honor, 2007, amongst others.
Among the many group
shows Erbe has participated in are “American Art on the
Brink of the 21st Century” organized by Meridian
International in Washington, D.C. that traveled for 2
years in the Far East. “Still Life from Rembrandt to the
Millennium” at The Albuquerque Museum, New Mexico, “68
Years/68 Masters” at the ACA Galleries, NYC, “True
Colors: Meditation on the American Spirit” organized by
Meridian International and traveling to NYC, Atlanta, GA
and throughout Europe, Trompe l'Oeil Exhibition at The
Ettinger Gallery, NYC, The Woodson Art Museum in
Wisconsin, The Albemarle Gallery, London, England,
Vanier Gallery, Scottsdale, AZ, The Philbrook Museum of
Art, Tulsa, OK and Rittenhouse Fine Art Gallery,
Philadelphia, PA amongst others.
Erbe is a member of
Allied Artists of America and served as its President
from 1994 to 2005, Honorary Member of The National Arts
Club and Salmagundi Club, Audubon Artists, Artists
Fellowship, and The Connecticut Academy of Fine Arts.
Erbe has organized
and curated many exhibitions including “Henry Gasser,
Beyond City Limits”, traveling to 4 Museums, and "John
R. Grabach: Century Man" traveling to 4 Museums, amongst
others.
Erbe is listed in
“Who’s Who in American Art”, “Who’s Who in America”,
Biographical Encyclopedia of American Painters,
Sculptors and Engravers of the United States Colonial to
2002”, “Who’s Who in the East” and “Who’s Who in the
World”.
He is published in
American Artist Magazine, July 1974 & December 2004,
International Artists Magazine, Feb/March 2002, Best of
Oil Painting by Rockport Publishing; American Art
Collector, December 2005 amongst others.
Erbe’s work can be
found in many public and private collections throughout
the world. Erbe is represented by Godel & Co. Fine Art,
NYC.
"The Night Before Christmas", 52 x 59 inches, Oil on
Canvas, Private Collection
Erbe currently maintains his studio at The Union Club,
600 Hudson Street, #5-A, Hoboken, NJ 07030. He can be
reached at 201-656-6042 and website is
www.garyerbe.com
. |
