David Partridge

(1919–2006)
David Partridge was a Canadian artist who began his career making prints at the famed Atelier 17 in Paris. While renovating his home in Ottawa, he began experimenting with leftover wood and nails, a discovery that led to his signature works known as “Nailies.” By hammering nails into wooden panels at varying depths and angles, Partridge created shimmering optical illusions and rhythmic patterns that blur the line between painting and sculpture. His innovative, labour-intensive process brought him international recognition and cemented his reputation as a unique voice in post-war abstraction.