KINGA JAKABFFY
Like a sudden shock holding itself from downfall, Jakabffy’s work hatches in the moment before the bursting of a soap bubble. It edges forward—promising, teasing, tense—a mix of control and curiosity that builds with intensity while sensually wishing for a sharp nail of cynical political awareness and a magical twist, struck from the gut of superstition. She keeps breathing pressure into the bubble’s mesmerising rainbow-like sphere, with both the wonder of a child and the precision of a scientist that she is.
The tension grows—until at last, it pops in a multisensory climax of voluptuous outpouring and brief relief: thick lines, bold colors, flat surfaces. What follows is a longing echo—nostalgic, fading—like a sigh slipping between dispersion and diversion. Jakabffy is there to concede: a political statement, an expression of longing, an unresolved yearning. Her gaze traces the Danube’s winding stories of exile and desire, the insatiable sexual and fierce feminine, and the traces of Hungarian-Romanian-Viennese voices that dream of exciting conversations daring enough to blush the Mediterranean Dalí and Miró, with the wild restless spirit of a Central European Kahlo.
ARTIST STATEMENT /DE
Wie ein plötzlicher Schock, der sich vom Zusammenbruch zurückhält, schlüpft Jakabffys Werk im Moment vor dem Platzen einer Seifenblase. Es tastet sich voran – vielversprechend, reizvoll, gespannt – eine Mischung aus Kontrolle und Neugier, die sich mit wachsender Intensität auflädt, während sie sich sinnlich nach einem scharfen Nagel zynischer politischer Wachsamkeit und einer magischen Wendung sehnt, geschlagen aus dem Bauch des Aberglauben. Immer wieder bläst sie Spannung in die hypnotisch regenbogenfarbene Kugel, mit dem Staunen eines Kindes und der Präzision einer Wissenschaftlerin, die sie ist.
Die Spannung wächst – bis sie schließlich in einem multisensorischen Höhepunkt sinnlicher Entladung und flüchtiger Erleichterung platzt: dicke Linien, kräftige Farben, flache Flächen. Was folgt, ist ein sehnsüchtiges Echo – nostalgisch, verblassend – wie ein Seufzer, der zwischen Zerstreuung und Abwendung gleitet. Jakabffy ist da, um nachzugeben: ein politisches Statement, ein Ausdruck der Sehnsucht, ein ungelöstes Verlangen. Ihr Blick folgt den verschlungenen Geschichten der Donau – von Exil und Begehren, vom unersättlich Sexuellen und der wilden Weiblichkeit, und von den Spuren ungarisch-rumänisch-wienerischer Stimmen, die von Gesprächen träumen, gewagt genug, um den mediterranen Dalí und Miró erröten zu lassen – getragen vom wilden, ruhelosen Geist einer mitteleuropäischen Kahlo.
BIO
Jakabffy’s highlights include group exhibitions at A.I.R. Gallery in New York City, SoHo Galeri in Sweden and Amsterdam, Galerie Angelina in Montréal, Crosslane Projects in the UK, as well as continued participation in both group and solo shows in Austria. Notably, her solo presentation at PARALLEL Vienna in 2023 centered on reproductive rights, marking a significant moment in her recent practice. To connect art with social engagement, she collaborated with partners such as Absolut Vodka and Electric Love Festival—designing the 10th-anniversary bottle. Jakabffy is currently represented by the Viennese galleries Kunst ab Hinterhof, BASE AT4, Künstlerhaus Wien and Galerie Angelina in Montréal, Canada.
Holding a master’s degree in communication science, Jakabffy is currently experimenting with AI prompt engineering, seeking to incorporate this emerging technology into her artistic practice and expand the boundaries of creative expression.
In addition to her studio practice, Jakabffy regularly hosts ART CONNECT events, where participants come together to create their own paintings and engage in a vibrant, supportive community exchange. These events reflect her commitment to inclusivity and collective artistic expression.
Over the past two years, Jakabffy has participated in several international artist residencies, including two in Paris at Montmartre and PréAvie, one in Stockholm, Sweden, and one at Balaton, Hungary. Her work was featured in a 7-minute TV interview on Austria's largest broadcaster ORF’s Kultur Heute program, where she discussed gender equality, migration, and her pro bono collaboration with UN Women. This collaboration led to a solo show in November–December 2024 and a charity auction benefiting global UN Women projects. Jakabffy’s work was also showcased at the 24th neunerhaus Kunstauktion, supporting homeless people, and featured at the Austrian national broadcaster ORF within a TV documentary about the impact of AI on the art world.
PORTFOLIO 2025
here
ART EXHIBITIONS
25. Sept. - Dec. 25. 2025 Group Show, Galerie Angelina, 55 rue de la Commune O., Montreal, Quebec H2Y 2C6, Canada
7. June - 12. July 2025 SAPPHO AND HER FRIENDS - A QUEER GAZE, Group Show, curated by Kunst & Schnittlauch, Währingerstrasse 79, 1180 Vienna
12. - 15. Dec. 2024 PARALLEL EDITIONS, curated by Base AT4, Funkhaus 1040 Vienna
25 Nov. - 10. Dec. 2024 UN WOMEN, Against violence against women, Kubus Valie Export, U6 Josefstädterstraße, 1080 Vienna
1.Nov.24 - 15.01.25 Soho Galeri, Västgötegatan 2A, 722 11 Västerås, Sweden
24-27. Oct. 2024 Popup by SoHo Galeri, Cornelis Schuystraat 32 H, Amsterdam
11-15. Sept. 2024 PARALLEL VIENNA, curated by Kunst ab Hinterhof, Pavillon 16, Otto Wagner Areal Wien, 1140 Vienna
28. Jun. - 28. Jul. 2024 Wish You Were Here: The Second Best Time Is Now. Group Show, A.I.R. Gallery, 155 Plymouth Street, New York City, United States
19.-20. April 2024 WINNA: WOVEN IN US, Group show, Fash Rev AT Fashion Studios, Museumsquartier Wien, 1070 Vienna
21. March 2024 UNDRESSED, Kunst ab Hinterhof, 1160 Vienna
20. March 2024 Gelage #6 Kunst ab Hinterhof mit Hausbar Wien und Anna Pelz, 1160 Vienna
31. July - 14. Aug. 2024 Balaton Art Residency, Group Show, Szólád, Hungary
25. May - 29. June 2023 IDENTITÄT DES NACKTEN KÖRPERS, Group Show, Raum im Raum, 1070 Vienna
13. May - 30. June 2023 RAMI, Solo Show, 1070 Vienna
11.-14. May 2023 PARALLEL EDITIONS, Kunst ab Hinterhof, Neuer Kunstverein Wien NKW
01. Feb - 31. July 2023 NO PANIC, Solo Show, 1070 Vienna
19-20. Nov. 2022 VIENNA ART WEEK, Open studio days
05.-06. Nov. 2022 POP UP BELLES CHOSES #1, mit Käthe Schönle, Lym Moreno, La petite galerie, Guckschatz, Atelierhaus Pelzgasse, 1150 Wien
06. - 11. Sept. 2022 PARALLEL VIENNA, Soloshow BEYOND BORDERS. on reproduction rights, with Marschalek Art Management. 1180 Vienna
12. - 15. May 2022 PARALLEL EDITIONS, Kunst ab Hinterhof, Semperdepot Léhargasse 8, 1060 Vienna
11. Nov. - 11. Dec. 2021 OPAK, mit Xenia Hausner, Erwin Wurm, Franz West, Franz Zadrazil, u.v.m., Leerstand Gallery, Kunst ab Hinterhof, Weihburggasse 11, 1010 Vienna
09. Nov. - 10. Dec. 2021 PRESS DAYS, Heroes & Heroines, 1070 Vienna
07. - 12. Sept. 2021 Parallel Art Fair, curated by Kunst ab Hinterhof, Vienna
25. - 29. May 2021 Support your local girl gang, Ausstellungsraum, Vienna
06. - 30. May 2021 Hoffnung. Group exhibition curated by Einflussraum, Vienna
08. Oct. – 31. January 2021 Nach wie vor. Group exhibition curated by Kunst ab Hinterhof, Orpheum, Graz
22. - 27.Sept. 2020 Parallel Art Fair, curated by Kunst ab Hinterhof, Vienna
23.-24. July 2020 Oxymoron Galerie, Lindengasse 65, 1070 Wien
15. May – 15. June 2020 Alone. Not Lonely. Group Exhibition, Einflussraum, Vienna
26. Apr. 2020 Junge Kunst Vol. Online Pt 04, Group Exhibition, Instagram
11. Oct. – 30. Oct. 2019 Wasserspiegel. Solo Show kuratiert von Junge Kunst, Süsswasser, Vienna
23. Mar. – 18 May 2019 Miniscule, Group Show, Crosslane Projects Kendal UK
8. Mar. 2019 Fundraiser Event Changes for Women by Improper Walls, Vienna
1. Feb. 2019 Art Attech, Group Show, The Loft, Vienna
20. Oct. – 6. Dec. 2018 Junge Kunst Vol 8.0, St. Art & Damani Vienna
17. Nov. 2018 Junge Kunst Markt, Damani Vienna
04. Sept. 2018 Creative Prism No. 4., Angewandte Innovation Lab, Vienna
26. - 29. Jun. 2018 Open Studio, Solo Show, 1090 Vienna
14. Feb. – 02. Mar. 2018 Clitical Talk RRRiot Festival, Improper Walls Vienna
03.-17. Nov. 2018 Wanderlust Solo Exhibition. Thompson’s, AT, 2018
AUCTIONS & EVENTS
5. Dec. 2024: UN Women, Impact Hub, 1070 Vienna
4. Nov. 2024: 24th neunerhaus Kunstauktion, Museum of applied arts Vienna, Palais Kinsky
7.Dec. 2023: ART FOR SIERRA LEONE, Kunstauktion https://www.artforsierraleone.com/
6. Nov. 2023: 23rd neunerhaus Kunstauktion, Museum of applied arts Vienna, Palais Kinsky
23.-24. July 2020 Oxymoron Galerie, Lindengasse 65, 1070 Wien
ARTIST RESIDENCY
January 2025: Stockholm, Liljeholmsvägen 8
Sept. 18 - 28, 2023: Paris, Le PréàVie at Le Pré-Saint-Gervais http://lepreavie.com/le-preavie/
August 22 - 29, 2023: Paris, Montmartre Rue Paul Albert
July 31 - August 13th, 2023: Lake Balaton Art Residency with 15 international artists, Szólád Hungary https://balatonartresidency.com
PRESS
3. December 2024: ORF 3. Kultur Heute: Malerin Kinga Jakabffy über Du bist nicht allein. Exclusive TV Interview about violence against women
14. December 2024: „Act Now - ein Abend gegen Gewalt an Frauen" im Zuge von Orange the World 2024
11. December 2024: UN Women Act Now – ein Abend gegen Gewalt an Frauen
21. November 2024: UN Women Austria: Orange the World 2024
13. November 2024 20:15 ORF1. Das Ende der Wahrheit KI täuscht uns alle. TV Documentary on Artificial Intelligence (3,5mins) https://on.orf.at/video/14250922/dok-1-das-ende-der-wahrheit-ki-taeuscht-uns-alle
August 2023 Kultura.hu: Del-Balatoni Kortárs Alkotomühelyi
June 2023 ORF.at: Wienerin malt bunte Kunst für Gleichstellung
June 2023 ORF. Wien Heute: 2,5 min. TV Interview
June 2023: ABSOLUT VODKA x Electric Love Bottle Design
June 2023: ELECTRIC LOVE Kinga Jakabffy
June 1, 2023: PERNOD RICARD Absolut Vodka Collaboration
May-Aug. 2023 Absolut Vodka Collaboration
November 19, 2022 Esel.at VIENNA ART WEEK
November 2022 VIENNA ART WEEK Open Studio Days
September 2022 Les Nouveaux Riches: Raum A311. Beyond Borders
September 2022 Wiener Zeitung: Die Kunstform der Vergesslichkeit
September 2022 PARALLEL VIENNA
September 2022 Myculture App: PARALLEL VIENNA
September 2022 Die Stadtspionin: PARALLEL VIENNA
September 2022 Bohema Kunstmagazin: Lifting heaviness with lightness
September 2022 1000 things: PARALLEL VIENNA
August 2022 Bezirksblatt Wien: Ausstellung "Beyond Borders" – über Grenzen hinweg
March 2022 Weltfrauentag 2022: 5 Wiener Künstlerinnen, die ihr kennen solltet
March 2022 The Uncoiled Art Magazine Interview
March 2022 Petra Sittig The Artist's Voice Interview on Youtube
September 2021 The Greats: Soon we will be together
July 2021 Kultursommer, Bank Austria, The Wurst Agency
June 16, 2021 The Vienna-based illustrators you should hang on your wall
Oct. 2020 Frauendomäne Artist Portrait
Sept. 2020 Künstlerinnen Portrait Kingas Grapes, Kunst ab Hinterhof
Sept. 2020 Al-tiba9 Contemporary Art Magazine, Artist Talk on Facebook Live
Sept. 2020 Talkaccino, Interview Artist Portrait
June 2020 Heute, Commission work for Austrian actress Kristina Sprenger
May 2020 Kronenzeitung, Exhibition Info Alone. Not lonely.
May 2020 Kronenzeitung: Museum öffnet für einzelne Besucher
Oct. 2019 Krone.at, „WASSERSPIEGEL“ Wienerin begeistert mit fabelhafter Kunst
Oct. 2019 Kronenzeitung, Info Solo Show Wasserspiegel
PUBLISHING & SPEAKING
July 2019 Medium.com How do artists think? — An insight into the process of painting an artwork
July 2019 Medium.com How to be creative?
April 2019 Medium.com How I figured out a creative routine
April 2019 Medium.com My first year as a full time artist
Oct. 2018 Co-Hosting “1st Game of Creativity” Championship
Sept. 2018 Speaker @ Creative Prism No. 4.
July 2018 Creativity Gym Spotlight Interview
MUSIC VIDEO
Mascha - Mit allen Farben (feat. Der traurige Gärtner)
COLLABORATIONS
2024 UN WOMEN X Orange the World campaign, „Against violence against women“ Solo show @ Kubus by Valie Export, Charity Event @ Impact Hub, TV Interview ORF Kultur Heute, Vienna
2023 Absolut Vodka X Electric Love Festival 10y Anniversary bottle design (Limited Edition), Social media campaign, Pride Parade Vienna
AWARDS
CCA VENUS 2023 Category Illustration. Projekt: #visible
Agency: gp rosenberg
Illustration: Kinga Jakabffy
Effie 2019
Staatspreis 2018
CCA VENUS 2018 Category Photography
Agency: TBWA\Wien
Campaign: Da passiert was.
Client: Österreichische Galerie Belvedere
Idea & Concept: Kinga Jakabffy
Photographer: Stefan Draschan
FUNDING
Förderung durch das Bundesministerium für Kunst, Kultur, öffentlichen Dienst und Sport, 2021-2023
