Ern Trembath won his first art award at the age of 12 in a competition for all schools in
Gippsland and has now been painting for over 55 years. He is a self-taught artist who says
he never stops learning about art.
He spent 16 years in the Graphic Arts mainly in the reproduction of artworks from the
Heidelberg School. Then was co-owner/manager of a picture framing and art supply
business specializing in the restoration of old and damaged paintings and frames.
He ran art classes for many years including outdoor excursions to the Victorian
Countryside. He also gave talks and demonstrations at many art shows, art societies,
Rotary & Probus Clubs and charity organizations including Yooralla and the Royal
Children's Hospital.
Ern has judged numerous art shows both in Victoria and NSW including the Camberwell
Rotary Art Show and the Sir Henry Royce Foundation Art Awards. He was awarded a
Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International from Camberwell Rotary Club for his
assistance and dedication to the arts - a rare award for a non-member. He has also won
the prestigious Frederick McCubbin Gold Medal at the Box Hill Rotary Art Show.
Over the many years he has entered art shows, Ern has won more than 70 awards and
scores of commendations including a prized one from the late Sir William Dargie. He has
paintings in galleries and private collections in every major country throughout the world,
and represented in Rotary House Chicago, the Nissan Datsun Headquarters Osaka Japan
and the Exclusive World Art Gallery in Germany. Paintings appeared on 'Sale of the
Century' for many years. He has had paintings reproduced in various books and
publications including Australian Artists Today & Max Germains Artists & Galleries of
Australia. He has had many sellout one man shows, the last one raising money for the
Peter McCallum Cancer Institute. Recently a major work was purchased to hang in the
Royal Collection in London. Over his long career Ern has assisted various charities and
fundraising groups to raise large amount of money by donated many paintings for
auctions or raffles.
Although he lost partial use of his right arm in a car accident in 2003, he has continued
his career by using his left hand for the majority of the work. Now living in Corowa,
NSW he is in semi retirement, but still producing his art from his studio in Thornton, Vic,
Ern's motto has always been 'Live to paint not paint to live'. This has enabled him to put
his heart and soul into each work produced.