Executed in bronze and collaged with various headlines and clippings from the 'International Herald Tribune' newspaper, this 2008 example of Julien Marinetti’s infamous ‘Doggy John’ sculpture demonstrates the way Marinetti uses the bronze sculpture as means for artistic, expressive, and cultural exploration. Here, the dog acts as an emblem of contemporary society, reflecting the issues and concerns that shape our world. Similar to the way man’s best friend seems to mimic his/her owner; Marinetti’s dog is brought to life as a manifestation of the current state of the world.

With a diverse art background and a vivid imagination, Julien Marinetti (b.1967) explores art historical themes and contemporary concerns in his unique sculptural works that demonstrate his interest in material, painting, and collage. During his childhood in Paris, France, Marinetti was exposed to art both on the streets and in museums. He attended the Grande Chaumiere workshop and spent two days at Paris’ Beaux-Arts, but dropped out to devote himself to his work. In the early 2000s, Marinetti gained notoriety with his bronze sculpture series “Doggy John”, which he treats as a black canvas for creative experimentation. In 2007, his monumental sculpture, “Doggy John – Obama”, was first presented at the Grand Palais and then toured to various international galleries. Both his large scale and smaller works continue to be the subject of popular installations in major cities throughout the world.