Page 37 - Studio International - July 1965

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keeps a steady control on the overal I rhythms which poration of heavier metal objects, are, according to
are basic to his conceptions. Partridge, based on geological studies. As a boy he
Just as he says that he is not a sculptor. so is he was fascinated by fossils and the natural structure of
insistent in disclaiming any connection with the current plants and rocks. Memories of these studies have
Optical fashion. There are. of course. points of similarity. seemingly guided him. intuitively, in the development
The mere fact that his panels are composed of round of what he calls his 'vocabulary'.
nail heads. virtually dots of silver or bronze. provides a Generally speaking he makes no preliminary designs.
source of comparison with Bridget Riley or Jeffery Only when working to an architectural commission
Steele. But Partridge has no interest in optical illusion. does he prepare a sketch or maquette to assist the
or rather no intention of creating any, even if it creeps architect or patron. When working alone, he says, 'I
in. He is a delineator of patterns and rhythms, a start with one kind of nail without any preconceived
draughtsman and print-maker. ideas. I then go on to the point when I think it is
In all his work one is aware of the overall composition finished'. Whilst, as I have suggested, there is a sub­
before the jewel-like complexity of the component conscious urge or need to recreate natural structure,
1 parts work their fascination. It is the rhythmic, the artist is unaware of this while at work. The mere
Standing configuration 1 964 landscape-like shapes which dominate. By landscape, hammering in of one nail on a board predestines the
Detail.
194 X 8 X 8 in. one must not limit meaning to conventional forms; uni­ shape, height, distance of the next.
Collection of the artist
versal or solar conceptions could be appropriate. The complexity of these extraordinary designs almost
2 Curiously enough the dissections and diversions of defies description. It is not enough to state that they
Galactic Fossil 1965
3 X 6 ft. the large areas, by rings or rows of nails, or the incor- are, for the most part, nails hammered in at intervals in
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