*Into the Sun – Drawings 2026* is a series of more than 350 pen-and-ink washes on paper. Into the Sun tells the story of a camel and its rider searching for peace and tranquillity in a vast desert. Along the way, they encounter fellow travellers and exotic creatures. This ongoing project is inspired by the artist’s granddaughter, Alba. The drawings are presented with accompanying text below and in the following six chapters, in non-chronological order.
Set in a fictional world where imagination and reality blend, the work functions as a visual diary and self-portrait, exploring parallel worlds, memory, identity, and perception. The shifting relationship between the camel and rider conveys trust and interdependence, while encounters with exotic creatures and places symbolise new perspectives and possibilities.
The project emphasises open interpretation, offering minimal narrative so viewers can create their own stories. Its meaning is reinforced by carefully chosen materials and experimental techniques using a specific ink, fixative, and inkjet paper, which lend a photographic and sometimes surreal quality to the drawings. Overall, the work reflects the fragility and value of human experience, suggesting that each day brings fresh opportunities for discovery, reinvention, and hope at any age.
Viewing the drawings on a desktop or laptop is recommended. The work is envisioned as a gallery-style installation, with individually framed drawings displayed in ten wall-mounted clusters of 30 to 40 pieces each, spaced approximately 5 cm apart. To access all the drawings, chapters and narrative, visit the artist’s website.
Into the Sun Video Shorts Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLQteKPuE8QuMCmTgR5qOZDk42m5HatHcX&si=RieZN4QudUbyuNIm
Derek Hill Video Shorts YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEncWmw9aBoL4KFf-96boeA
Work Archive: https://www.derekhill.co.uk/work/
