Social change in focus: Gabriele Bina inspires with new exhibition!

Social change in focus: Gabriele Bina inspires with new exhibition!

In the coming weeks, art lovers in Vienna can expect an exciting event: on November 5, 2025, the exhibition by Gabriele Bina (Ga Bina) will officially open. This takes place in the heart of Ottakring, more precisely in the SPÖ Ottakring district organization at Schuhmeierplatz 17-18. The opening is not just a pure vernissage, but also opens with a reading by Gabriele Bina and her colleague Franziska Bauer, who present texts on the works on display.

The exhibition itself has been accessible since October 1, 2025 and has the theme “A solidarity together”. Painting and graphics come together here, with the works addressing socio-political phenomena. Bina has brought numerous facets of our society into focus with impressive works such as “Inflation Pyramid” and “Borders” as well as historical references such as “Street Fight Vienna” and “The Road to Freedom”. Her detailed, colorful works use a variety of materials and techniques that encourage the viewer to think. The exhibition opening times are Mondays from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Tuesdays to Thursdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The artists

Gabriele Bina has completed extensive training as a textile designer and graphic artist and can look back on extensive exhibition work at home and abroad. She also works as a book illustrator, including for Franziska Bauer. Bauer herself is a retired high school teacher, author of poetry and essays and winner of the 10th Bad Godesberg Literature Prize. Together, the two artists are part of the association ::kunst-projekte:: and represent a variety of initiatives in the areas of art and society.

Literary connection

Another exciting project linked to the exhibition is the volume of poetry “Dona Nobis Pacem”, which was written by Franziska Bauer and Mary Nikolska. The volume, which contains poems in Ukrainian, German and Russian, aims to raise awareness of peace as the highest good. The opening took place on January 16, 2023 at the Club International in Vienna. An accompanying exhibition was shown, presenting works by Gabriele Bina, Anna Freudenthaler and Elena Terziyska, and the motto of the event was “Peace”.

Mary Nikolska, who comes from Ukraine and works as an economic consultant, has also made a name for herself as a poet. Like Bina and Bauer, she addresses current social issues in her texts. The connection between literature and fine art is a central concern of the association that curated the event. The annual theme for 2023, "LANGUAGE. Seeing literature, hearing pictures. Systems of communication", shows how versatile these art forms can be interwoven.

The event offers numerous starting points for all those who are interested in a critical examination of art. These are not only of aesthetic value, but also of high socio-political relevance. The University of Graz's work area, the Center for Contemporary Art, addresses such questions and promotes understanding of the role of the arts in the contemporary context. An attempt is made here to free the arts from a passive state and to understand them as a reflexive medium that reacts to social developments.

The exhibition and the accompanying readings are not only a feast for the eyes for those interested in art, but also invite you to think about important social issues. So if you are in Vienna, don't miss this opportunity!