Double Negative
This piece was created, primarily, because of the shape of the original piece of double- trunked, stump wood, which had laid on the damp ground for a long time, until it had become “spalted”, partly decayed ("punky"). As evidenced by the hollow centers, the parent tree had also been diseased. Thus, the physical condition and the hollowed-out shape of the wood did not allow the artist too many choices.
The sculpture was created by the "subtractive" process; meaning that the artist "took away material" to make the desired form. However, since both sections of the double-hollowed stump had no wood to be taken away, "NOTHING FROM NOTHING, LEAVES NOTHING!"
Therefore, in making this sculpture, the artist created the double doughnut, or double-zero effect. The "empty" (hollow) centers give us what we sculptors call "negative volume" or "negative form" since the empty spaces encompassed by the sculpture are at one and the same time part of the sculpture, but not part of the sculpture.
Hence, the name "DOUBLE NEGATIVE" derives from these realities:
First, "NOTHING FROM NOTHING, LEAVES NOTHING" (that, in itself is a "double negative". Secondly,
Mr. Amos utilizes volume created by Nature as an integral part of the form. So, the negativ truly have a "triple negative", logically; but, because the visual image is, so obviously, a double-image, the piece is called,"DOUBLE NEGATIVE".
Personal statement from the artist/ sculptor, Mr. Emmett Amos