For the duration of this project, titled Negative, I have explored the formal and conceptual possibilities of negative space with regards to denial, absence, erasure and the spaces that exists in, around and in place of objects, words and ideas.

Taking a wide research approach, I initiated with the key aim to learn and uncover connections between strands of visual and contextual research into the historically and politically significant site of Holyrood, Edinburgh.  The result is a diverse body of multimedia works, driven by observational drawing, writing and digital recordings.

With the space between Scottish Parliament and Holyrood Palace as the physical subject of my work there has been a focus on identity and nationhood, which in this work I have obscured. When the subject is blurred or obscured what becomes the focus of the image? Is it the surrounding space or does focus remain with the absent subject? To what extent can formal conceptions of negative space be applied to how we construct national identity?

Instagram:       calum_artin

Research:       https://www.are.na/calum-martin/negative-d-8irte42bw