DIF3 exhibition in short.

What is it?

DIF3 is a visual art project, established in 1994, celebrating Irish landscape, people and lore. The title DIF derives from Deutch-Irische-Freundschaft = German-Irish-Friendship. ADMISSION IS FREE.

Who is it?

The participants of this project, are Rod Coyne (painter), Jost Hiller (photography) and Anja Coyne (digital artist).

Where is it?

Studio Hiller, Burgplatz 12 – D40213 Düsseldorf, Germany. Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/yJY4ZecZZdD4A5C16

When is it?

2023: Fri 22nd Sept. 17.00h – 22.00h, Sat 23rd Sept. 11.00h – 21.00h, Sun 24th Sept. 11.00 – 18.00h.

Why is it?

DIF3 is the third installment of a collaborative visual art project by three like-minded-artists and was made possible by the support of the Irish Government. This project is supported by Culture Ireland (Department of Foreign Affairs) with the aim of promoting Irish art in Germany.

The DIF project history.

The three founding members of DIF Anja, Rod & Jost, first collaborated with a visual arts exhibition in 1994. The Irish themed exhibition in Dusseldorf was a homage from afar and a visualisation of homesickness simultaneously. The three members expressed a shared passion through their singular artistic voices. This set up a riveting dynamic between the work exhibited. The pieces varied from joyous celebration to nostalgic longing depictions of the Irish landscape.

In 2013, almost two decades later the thematic balance had shifted for the DIF project. Only Jost Hiller remained in Germany, while the other two members had moved to Ireland in 2000. Rod Coyne had spent the intervening years delving deep into plein air painting with the Irish landscape his main anchor. Ahead of the DIF2 exhibition Hiller spent time in Ireland working along side Coyne documenting Rod’s process in the Wicklow mountains. These works were at the heart of the show.

In 2023 DIF3 we will be marking a decade since the last exhibition. Rod Coyne will be showing Irish landscape created over the past 20 years demonstrating four fully fledged and distinct painting styles. Jost Hiller will be showing his latest photography. Anja Coyne expresses her German-Irish passion by enveloping the project in her singular take on Irish Lore and graphic design.

The venue Studio Hiller is otherwise a commercial photography studio of 25 years renown. The building is located at the very center of Düsseldorf old-town with a massive footfall of locals and tourists alike.