Subtractive sculpture is best described as which of the following?

• A. Carving away material from a larger piece
• B. Adding material to create form
• C. Modeling with clay by hand
• D. Assembling found objects

Answer: (A)

Subtractive sculpture means starting with a solid block and removing material to reveal the form. Artists use tools like chisels, gouges, and rasps to carve away wood, stone, or other substances until the desired shape stands out from the block. The finished work is defined by what has been removed, not by what was added.

This contrasts with additive methods, where form is built up by adding material—such as modeling with clay or assembling pieces to create a sculpture. So the correct description captures the idea of carving away to leave the final figure.