Page 39 - Studio International - July 1965

David Partridge

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does not require much imagination to realise what His 'Configurations· first attracted widespread
concentration is required to control all these possible attention at his one man exhibition at the New Vision
effects at the same time as creating and elaborating the Gallery in 1964 and he is now represented in the Tate
patterns on the working board. Gallery and a number of other public collections. But
In Partridge's studio I was able to compare the before this show. architects had already realised the
finished panels with one in the process of completion. striking decorative value of his work. His first com­
This wooden board was only a quarter filled so that it mission was for the Nail Head Lounge in Ottawa in
was possible to assess both the simplicity and limitation 1960. In 1962 he made panels for the Royal Trust
of the means with the remarkable development of the Company of Canada and the boardroom of the
patterns. Looking at the bags of nails. clumps of spiky Arndale Property Trust in London. Two of his finest
aluminium Vine-eyes. metal brackets and piping, the designs are in the Shanklin Hotel. on the Isle of Wight,
sawn-off ends of spray cans. one could not but be and the Coral Beach Hotel. Beirut. Before going to press
amazed at the ingenuity and richness of the products. I was able to see his largest commission to date. a
Partridge. perhaps. lacks the grandeur of the finest superb ceiling, made of eight panels. for the roof
Kemenys. He has a tendency towards decoration. to restaurant of the Royal Garden Hotel. Kensington,
the gorgeousness of rich patterning, rather than to which will open in August. The exhibition at the
solid. monumental forms. Tm really not very intel­ Commonwealth Institute (open until August 15) will
lectual'. he said. ·1 have no theories. After teaching for provide not merely a gay and elegant show, but the
15 years I've built up a discerning eye and a personal opportunity of assessing the work of one of the most
sense of design, and I just let it come out.' original artists working in Britain. ■
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