'1917'

"1917" is the fourth in a series of posters celebrating historic events using modern styles and imagery. "1917" commemorates the first successful marxist revolt in the 20th Century, when Russian peasants and workers rose up against the oppressive Tsars, concluding with the October Revolution that dismantled the monarchy and replaced it with a worker's republic. Tragically, the dream of an economic democracy died in later decades as internal corruption, poverty and external antagonism led tothe erosion of civil liberties and betrayal of communist theory. However, regardless of ideology, the event remains a potent symbol of people power victorious over oppressive institutions.

Stylistically the piece incorperates clichéd Soviety imagery into a minimalist interpretation of the highly ornate "coat of arms" medals issued later to those who fought in October. The vibrant colours, sharp, bold lines and majesterial imagery allude to the peasants grand dreams of a new world that sadly never saw the light of day, but those ideas remain as highly charged and inspiring as they did almost 100 years ago.