"The truth is the best picture." This sentence by Robert Capa is not just a quote, it is the credo of GABO, who is a photographer with heart and soul. She creates images that linger and resonate, born from good light and the trust of those immortalized by her on fine paper. In a time where AI-generated perfection increasingly influences photography, where skin textures are softened, bodies smoothed, and reality becomes simulation, GABO makes a conscious statement.
In this exhibition, she exclusively showcases works that were created without artificial intelligence. Here, you won't find algorithms, deepfakes, or overly retouched masks; instead, you encounter light, genuine closeness with real people, as well as glamour, eroticism, and humor. For decades, GABO has worked analog or with her hand on the digital pulse, but always in harmony with the subject. Her portraits come alive in the moment, not on the screen. They depict personalities, not avatars. She aims to do justice to her subjects, not to capture superficial clichés. These are images that smell of studio light and darkroom, of atmosphere, of time spent together – from a real encounter between the people in front of and behind the camera.
The exhibition "GABO's Big Shots" presents a selection of her personal favorite works. Honest, poignant, sometimes erotic portraits. Photographs that touch immediately. Shots that seem to have emerged through an invisible bond between camera and human, sometimes softly, sometimes loudly, but always with soul. It is her own time in the spotlight that has given her such a deep sensitivity to how vulnerable yet strong a person can be in front of the camera. And how crucial closeness, trust, and light are for a genuine portrait. GABO doesn't make personalities shine; she makes them glow. She photographs with respect, warmth, and a clear stance: "I want the person in front of my camera to feel seen – not used."
This exhibition showcases a selection of her impressive works and is also a journey through decades of German photographic history, seen and told through the eyes of a woman who has repeatedly discovered new facets behind familiar faces. With gazes that speak volumes beyond a thousand filters. Throughout her work, GABO has remained committed to humanity, not to trends and hype. For her, photography is a dialogue, a collaboration. This sets her work apart from many current images that appear flawless but tell the viewer nothing.
This exhibition is also a plea for photography that reconnects us with our feelings and reminds us that a good picture originates from the connection between two people. It is also an artistic and societal statement as a woman in a field long dominated by men.
Ultimately, this exhibition is more than just a showcase of her work. It is an invitation to look closely or as GABO summarizes it: "A good portrait is not created through technique. It is created through trust."

Biography

GABO, born Gabriele Oestreich in Hamburg, began her career after completing her education by working successfully as a fashion model for several years. During this time, she learned a great deal about good and bad lighting from photographers, stating that she learned the most from the latter. Following stints in London, Sydney, Paris, and Milan, Gabo studied graphic design for two years at the Alsterdamm School of Art in Hamburg. In 1986, she transitioned behind the camera and accompanied musician Herbert Grönemeyer on his tour on assignment for Stern magazine. She then began photographing reportages, like "Aids in Uganda," followed by fashion and celebrity portrait assignments for international magazines such as Luomo Vogue, amica, Stern, GQ, and Vanity Fair/Italy. She seamlessly moved on to commissions for record labels, various advertising assignments, and directing music videos.
For over 40 years, Gabo has captured famous personalities and stars, such as Eric Clapton, Kevin Costner, Veronica Ferres, Nina Hagen, Yoko Ono, Die Toten Hosen, and Angelina Jolie, becoming renowned for her unique approach to flattering light. Drawing out an honest expression from her subjects remains a fascinating challenge for Gabo, which continues to be the secret of her images.
GABO has received several awards, including the Kodak Prize and the Italian television award "Premio vendere a Argento" for her photography. Her works have been featured in numerous exhibitions, like "Female Photographers in Hamburg" at the Kunst halle, Camerawork in Hamburg, "Big Shots" at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, "FAME" at the Humboldt Box Berlin, and "Female View" at the St. Annen Kunst Halle Lübeck.
She has lived in Hamburg, Milan, Miami, Bimini, Australia, the Dominican Republic, Mallorca, and Potsdam and is a mother to a son.