Etienne Mantelli – Dogs Day Dream

Etienne Mantelli
Dogs Day Dream, 2026

Soft ground copper plate etching
Variable Edition of 10 + A/P
Image Size 33.5×29.5cm / Paper Size 46×38cm

Artist Statement
Dogs Day Dream is my depiction of a ‘good day’ for a dog, in particular my dog Skipper. The work depicts Skipper once again having a dream-day, daydreaming on the grounds of the studio - serene in the wilds of the studio. A place frequented often by the precious beast, where she daydreams, frequently. The work explores mark-making through the technique of soft ground, which transfers the mark from a pencil to copper. This allows the freedom to create the image instantaneously. Motifs and repeated symbols are used in place of colours, shades and textures; the plate can only hold one colour so this allows for a more enjoyable range of shades than black. This print represents my connection to Baldessin Studio, driving an hour to the studio on Fridays, assisting great artists run their workshops, helping to build and fix things around the studio, playing music at the picnics, being a part of this community is important and I hope this print can encapsulate that.

Etienne Ubaldo Mantelli (b.1998) is a Melbourne-based printmaker and artist. Born in Carlton but raised in Ocean Grove Victoria, Etienne brings his experience growing up in a regional beach town into his current practice. His practice explores ‘child-like expression’; that perfect time between the ages of 1 and 3, where a human is able to express themselves with complete autonomy. Make the marks they want to make and use the colours the way they feel they must. This is religiously tied to the discipline of print, harnessing the power to copy and the power to expand on ideas by printing over others. He is currently working as a printer for Sean Smith and is a qualified Carpenter.

@spaghettienne