David Partridge (1919-2006)

Whilst studying at Atelier 17 in Paris in 1958, Partridge describes how fascinated he became with 'the irregular surfaces of deep-etched copper and zinc plates, irrespective of their purpose in printing. They became low-relief sculptures, which seemed to my ex-pilot's eyes like aerial views of topography'. His interest in the artistic forms created by metal increased with his chance discovery of the artist Zoltan Kemeny while 'gallery-hopping' in Paris.

In the 1950s in Ottawa he embarked upon a house rebuilding project; 'I was using wood and nails while re-decorating an old house we had moved into. Somehow a nice 2ft. x 3ft. piece of plywood was left over from a project. Nails were at hand and a hammer! I descended to the basement and made my first nail sculpture'. His celebrated nail sculptures soon adopted his private nickname for them; "Naillies".

The present work was executed in 1965, when Partridge's nail works were becoming increasingly popular in London. In the 1960s Partridge had several solo shows at The New Vision Centre, New Charing Cross Gallery, Hamilton Gallery and the Covent Garden Gallery. June #5 demonstrates Partridge's ability to achieve remarkable texture and relief with gleaming rows of nails that contrast against the painted wooden background. The curves and dips within the body of nails and the sheet metal catch and reflect the light, creating a feeling of movement within the piece.