Mario Soldo is one of the most recognisable names of the Viennese artistic, fashion and queer scene. As Austria’s first drag queen, a pioneer of performance and provocative artistic expression, Soldo defined the 1990s and left a lasting mark on Vienna’s urban culture. His work merges fashion, art, music, club culture and activism – and his energy continues to shape new generations.
Author, mentor and voice of Viennese queer history
In the role of author, Mario Soldo wrote the foreword to a book documenting the evolution of Vienna’s queer scene. Through interviews with prominent figures – Gerry Keszler, Julian Wiehl, Andy Reiter and Pandora Nox – the book gains depth, historical context and emotional resonance.
Between the photographs are inspiring quotes that invite reflection, while the Galerie Mario Soldo presents the visual highlights of the work.
The exhibition opening is included in the official program of the Vienna PRIDE Parade, symbolically linking the past and present of the queer community in a unique artistic project.
A central figure of Vienna’s queer 1990s
Throughout the 1990s, Soldo stood at the heart of Vienna’s alternative culture.
His work included:
- fashion and avant-garde styling
- artistic and theatrical performance
- club culture and visual identity of nightlife
- activism and breaking social taboos
He took part in the “Pin Up!” exhibition in his own gallery, dedicated to the young queer club scene and its influence on Vienna’s visual identity. He collaborated with other notable artists such as Walter Bauer and Johannes Hoschek, helping shape a cultural landscape that continues to influence Vienna today.
Fashion and film – directing the final spectacles of MQ Vienna Fashion Week
For ten consecutive years, Mario Soldo has produced the closing show of MQ Vienna Fashion Week, and for the anniversary he presented the opulent “Fellini Show”, created in collaboration with HUMANA Austria. He draws inspiration from the films of Italian director Federico Fellini, one of cinema’s greatest masters.
A devoted admirer of Fellini since childhood, Soldo designs an extravagant style show that reinterprets scenes from classics such as “La Dolce Vita,” “Amarcord,” and “Casanova.”
The programme is further enriched by:
- music by Nino Rota performed live by saxophonist Franz Schubert
- cabaret hosting by Mika Blauensteiner
- more than 100 models, including well-known Viennese figures: Ossi Schellmann, Gaby Schellmann, Marianne Kohn, Franz J. Sauer, Erich Joham, Sonja Kato–Maillath, Silvia Schneider, Hannah Neunteufel, Isabella Abel and many others
The closing show is transformed into a multimedia spectacle – a fusion of fashion, film, theatre and music.
Mario Soldo – a symbol of freedom, creativity and transformation
Throughout his career, Mario Soldo has remained synonymous with courage, artistic fearlessness and aesthetic originality.
His work:
- celebrates diversity
- pushes boundaries
- unites fashion, art and performance
- shapes the identity of Vienna’s queer and alternative culture
As an artist, performer, curator and visionary, Mario Soldo stands as one of the most influential figures in Austrian queer history – and an inspiration for generations to come.
