Cameron Robbins is known for his site-specific drawing instruments that tap into and reveal the Earth’s natural forces such as solar power and wind energy. His sculptural instruments work kinetically, involving mechanical systems that attune to turbulent weather systems, sensing and visualising their invisible energies through a vortex of lines.

The "One Hour Solar Drawings" were made in Robbins' studio (Castlemaine Victoria). They are solar-powered mechanical drawings on different painted watercolour papers.

Sunlight -punctuated by gathering cloud cover, storm fronts, and dappled tree shade- motivated a solar-powered drawing instrument to help create this work.

The Helio Drawing instrument channels the sporadic oscillations of atmospheric solar energy to a 24 V panel, without storage batteries, down to specially formed drawing wires and mechanical drawing systems. The paper is on a mechanical platform that moves slowly and steadily so the drawing marks time as well as energy.

Gaps and irregularities in the drawing are traces of shadow across the solar panel. The Helio Drawing Instrument gives rise to an endless variety of forms as the drawing motor stops and starts depending upon the air quality, clouds and shade conditions.

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