Master of Illusion: The Magical Art of Gary Erbe

Huntington, NY – The Heckscher Museum of Art is pleased to present Master of Illusion: The Magical Art of Gary Erbe, opening Saturday, May 21. Erbe’s impressive oil paintings fool the eye, projecting beyond the two-dimensional canvas with dynamic form and composition.

Master of Illusion traces Erbe’s career from early works executed in the style he coined as “levitational realism”—for the illusionistic levitation of the objects depicted—to more recent paintings that combine trompe l’oeil realism with modernist tendencies. Erbe’s immaculate self-taught skill transforms familiar items with a heightened sense of realism. His inspiration is drawn from popular culture and national pastimes, with subjects ranging from nostalgic images of childhood pursuits, to American jazz, radio, television, and film. Erbe’s postwar childhood is viewed as a golden age; however, some of his works comment on the darker side of American history.

Gary Erbe has exhibited extensively since 1970 with solo exhibitions at museums and galleries throughout America, Asia, and Europe. He has garnered many awards and honors over the years including: an unprecedented six Gold Medals at the Allied Artists of America, Inc.; First Prize from the National Arts Club, NYC; The Julius Hallgarten Award, National Academy of Design, NYC; Lifetime Achievement in American Art from The Butler Institute of American Art; Gold Medal, The National Museum of Sports; and Gold Medal Honor from Audubon Artists, NYC. Master of Illusion: The Magical Art of Gary Erbe remains on view through August 28.

Master of Illusion: The Magical Art of Gary Erbe is generously sponsored in part by Astoria Bank, Andrea B. and Peter D. Klein, Pien and Hans Bosch, and Fern and Hersh Cohen.

Meet a Master of Illusion! on Sunday, May 22, from 3:00 to 4:00 pm, artist Gary Erbe leads a captivating gallery tour exploring his artwork and creative process. Registration is recommended: 631.351.3250.

Gary Erbe, Those Amazin’ Mets, 2006. Courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cusenza. © Gary Erbe.

Gary Erbe, The Big Splash, 2001. Courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Joseph Cusenza. © Gary Erbe.