Earth, Water, Night I   Archival pigment print, metal tray, water. 5 × 3 metres. 2023.

Earth, Water, Night is a large sculptural piece in the spirit of Hill’s ambitious sculptural installation Dark River (2018–19). Made from a 5 × 3 metre, physically manipulated archival pigment print of JWST telescope data. The print passes into a black pool of water where parts are reflected on the water’s surface whilst others sink into its shadowy depths. Exploring photographic metaphors, the black pool can also be likened to the developing tray.

French philosopher Gaston Bachelard likens water to a giant mirror through which the universe catches its first glimpse of itself. Leading from this thought, Hill engages with ideas Panpsychism, a viewpoint that suggest consciousness is a fundamental property of all matter.