Original 1990 Soviet Late Avant-Garde Exhibition Posters – “SAD” (Garden) – Elagin Palace, Leningrad – Set of 2 (Triptych)

This exceptional pair of original exhibition posters marks a pivotal, bittersweet chapter in late-Soviet cultural history. Printed in the autumn of 1990, they advertised the “SAD” (САД / Garden) exhibition held at the historic Elagin Palace in Leningrad — one of the final major non-conformist art events before the dissolution of the Soviet Union.

Featuring a collective of prominent underground and non-conformist Leningrad artists — including D. Kaminker, P. Konnikov, L. Kalibaba, and M. Ershov — the exhibition was a profound creative statement at the height of Perestroika. Rather than adhering to Socialist Realism, these artists embraced a bold synthesis of avant-garde typography, abstract forms, and raw linocut imagery, capturing the restless energy of a society on the brink of transformation.

The typography is a masterclass in late-Soviet expressive design: the Cyrillic letters С-А-Д are playfully deconstructed and scattered, transforming language into a living visual landscape. The central motif of the second poster — a stark monochrome linocut of a solitary figure resting beneath a neoclassical pavilion under a full moon — evokes the melancholic atmosphere of Leningrad’s imperial gardens with extraordinary quiet power.

A note on the complete set: These two posters are part of an original triptych. The third poster is currently undergoing restoration and will be listed separately once complete. This listing is for the pair only.

Publication Details

Poster designer: Unknown — the artist(s) responsible for the poster design are unattributed. The names credited on the posters refer to the participating artists in the SAD exhibition itself, not the poster designers.
Exhibiting artists (as credited): D. Kaminker, P. Konnikov, L. Kalibaba, M. Ershov, and others
Exhibition: “SAD” (САД / Garden), Elagin Palace, Leningrad
Exhibition dates: 28 September – 28 November 1990
Year: 1990
Origin: USSR (Soviet Union) — Leningrad
Style: Late Soviet / Non-Conformist / Late Avant-Garde
Printing technique: Multi-pass lithography combined with linocut block printing
Size: Approx. 45 × 61 cm (17.7 × 24.0 in) per poster

Condition

Overall: Good (Vintage Grade)

Both posters show authentic signs of age that enhance their archival character. The paper has a warm, natural cream patina with mild handling creases and soft rippling along the edges consistent with vintage storage. The reverse shows minor evidence of historical mounting, including light paper-tape remnants on the upper corners of the typographic poster and faint ink transfer from the printing process. Some minor tears and not significant stains on the face of posters.

Ready for professional framing.

This is an authentic vintage item. Please review the high-resolution photographs for a full and accurate representation. What you see is what you receive.

Shipping & Packaging

We handle historic paper with the utmost care to ensure it arrives immaculate.

Handling: Dispatched within 1–3 business days from our Sarajevo studio
Packaging: Each poster rolled individually in acid-free tissue paper and shipped together in a heavy-duty reinforced mailing tube — no folding, no creasing, no edge damage
Tracking: Fully tracked from our studio to your door
Standard delivery: Registered post (BH Pošta), arriving in 1–4 weeks
Express delivery: DHL Express available at checkout — delivery in 2–5 business days

International buyers are responsible for any applicable customs fees or import taxes.

Framing

Professional custom framing is available for this piece upon request. Contact us before checkout to discuss options and tailored pricing.