The term ‘Negative Space’ refers to the empty space around and between the subject in an image or in an artwork. Negative Space becomes more apparent when the space alone forms an interesting shape. Above all, the creation of negative space is a vital element in artistic composition. In Japanese art tradition, the negative space is referred to as ma. Negative space may mean unpleasant things to some people considering we mean bad when we say negative.  In every Japanese art form, from sumi-e to ikebana, ma, the negative space is considered a specifically valuable sort of space, and it is not seen as negative or empty.