Prof. Mag. Hubert Josef Flörl
(September 29, 1960 – July 26, 2023)
Hubert Josef Flörl developed a sculptural language rooted in material, spirituality, and architectural space. Working primarily in bronze and marble, his works range from dynamic and powerful forms to monumental installations, defined by restraint, presence, and a sensitivity to form.
Born in Wörgl, Tyrol, Flörl studied sculpture at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna under Ferdinand Welz and Franz Xaver Ölzant from 1982 to 1987. During this time, he received a scholarship for a six-month research stay in Cairo, engaging with pharaonic art—an influence that resonates in his later exploration of timeless form and presence. His early formation included technical training at the HTL in Innsbruck, grounded in traditional craftsmanship.
Since 1987, Flörl worked as a freelance artist, developing a body of work that explores the relationship between figure and space, often situated within architectural and sacred contexts. His sculptures reflect a continuous investigation of human presence, spirituality, and material clarity.
Over the course of his career, he realized numerous major commissions across Europe. Notable works include the large-scale bronze sculptures at Schloss Kaps in Kitzbühel and a monumental fountain sculpture for Raiffeisen in Vienna.
He was also commissioned to create two reliefs for the library of Santa Maria dell’Anima in Rome. In 2012, he was granted a personal audience with Pope Benedict XVI, during which he portrayed the Pope, as well as Pope Hadrian.
His work has been exhibited internationally, including at the European Parliament in Brussels and Strasbourg, the Museum of Fine Arts in Malta, and institutions in Rome, Jerusalem, and New Orleans. In recognition of his artistic contribution, Flörl was awarded the
Theodor Körner Prize twice and, in 2014, granted the professional title of Professor by the Republic of Austria.