In art school, the terms Positive Space and Negative Space are interchangeable for Figure
and Ground, implicating that one aspect of the composition has more importance. Lessons in introductory studio classes challenge the student’s assumption or preconceived notion that the figure out-weighs the rest of the image, and to acknowledge that, although our preconceptions and biases urge us to search for the recognizable information, the entirety of the composition holds the real meaning. The spaces between and behind are meaningful. Perhaps the positive and negative are learned and perception can be shifted.

The Lyndon House Arts Center’s exhibition Figure Ground investigates artworks of seven artists through the lens of an art lesson as a metaphor: Kevin Cole, William Downs, Phil Jasen, Susan Nees, Terry Rowlett, Kate Windley, and Sunkoo Yuh.