Figure-Ground

Figure: what stands out as an object (subject) in a visual field or frame. May be thought of as the POSITIVE.

Ground: background or that which surrounds an object. May be thought of as the NEGATIVE (negative space).

Figure and ground can be interchangeable, depending on our focus and interest.

FIGURE

• A shape on a background.

GROUND

• A background on which marks, shapes, or figures are placed.

Figure-groundreversal

“plumb lines”

Notice the shapes between the objects.