Franz Konrad (priest)
Franz Konrad OMI (born August 25, 1934 in Hamburg , † March 8, 2005 in Mainz ) was a German religious and artist. In over six decades he created an extensive body of work, mainly drawings and collages . He began in the 1960s in the abstract style of the post-war generation and developed his own style in the 1970s to 1990s, influenced by both Pop Art and Minimalism .
Live and act
Franz Konrad joined the Order of the Oblates of the Immaculate Virgin Mary / Oblati Mariae Immaculatae (OMI) in 1957 , studied philosophy and theology at the Hünfeld Order University and was ordained a priest on March 19, 1961 by Bishop Adolf Bolte in the monastery church in Hünfeld.
From 1962 to 1970 a special theological course followed at the University of Munich. Further studies in Munich followed, where he received his doctorate in philosophy in 1970 with the grade summa cum laude . In 1970/71 he took on a teaching position for fundamental theology at the Philosophical-Theological University of Fulda, then studied further at the University of Mainz and was responsible for the spiritual care of the religious students. In the diocese of Fulda, Father Konrad worked as a pastor in Sargenzell from 1983 until his departure in 1987 . He built the church there and was one of the initiators of the “Sargenzeller Früchteteppich”, a picture carpet with motifs from the Bible, which is made every year from fruits and seeds on the church floor in Sargenzell and which is now known far beyond the borders of the diocese.
He promoted the partnership with the Nigerian Diocese of Idah. From 1988 to 1990 he was rector of the Oblate monastery in Bingen and worked on further theological training in Frankfurt. From 1991 to 2004 his place of work was Berlin, namely as a lecturer at the Theological-Pastoral Academy, as a subsidiary in various parishes and as a chaplain to the nuns.
Artistic work
His artistic work has been completely preserved. Each of his works, drawings in pencil and colored pencil, his watercolors and collages , were dated by him, often with dates. His work has been shown in exhibitions in Berlin and Bad Hersfeld. Franz Konrad wrote about his work: “Labyrinths of imagination. Despite the sympathetic mood, there is also something confusing, labyrinthine, encrypted and repellent in my pictures. However, I am convinced that these labyrinths do not simply lead into astray and hopelessness, but rather deep into the secrets of life and the world. When I was drawing, it turned out that my hand was working spontaneously and unconsciously. What emerged in this way could not be interpreted for myself. I picked up the crayons and added a little color to the black lines and shapes in the hope that this would give the drawings more clarity. Ultimately, however, I was always puzzled. "
In his work he dealt with natural elements and visualized the interplay of human life with its environment. His works are full of humor, lightness, they exude a positive outlook and a powerful spirituality.
Web links
- Father Dr. Franz Konrad OMI (71) has died , Osthessen News , March 10, 2005
- Obituary diocese of Fulda
Individual evidence
- ↑ fruechteteppic.de
- ^ Source: Pater Franz Konrad estate archive, Wiesbaden.
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Konrad, Franz |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | German religious, theologian and artist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | August 25, 1934 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Hamburg |
| DATE OF DEATH | March 8, 2005 |
| Place of death | Mainz |