Seeds of Hate and Hope

Please note that this exhibition has now closed. It took place from 28 November 2025 to 17 May 2026.

Seeds of Hate and Hope presented personal artistic responses to global mass atrocities, such as genocides, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Featuring work by artists including Mona Hatoum, William Kentridge, Zoran Mušič, Peter Oloya, Kimberly Fulton Orozco and Indrė Šerpytytė, it explored how, throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, artists have witnessed, experienced and responded to atrocity crimes and conflicts with powerful and compelling artworks. Drawing courage and inspiration from personal experience as well as shared histories, they have reacted to these events for many reasons including but not limited to bearing witness, expressing grief and promoting healing..

With the aim of raising awareness about global conflicts and the role of art in confronting their legacy, this exhibition highlighted artistic responses to such devastating events with creativity and courage. It featured artworks which are reflections of, rather than images of, violence or victims; and which challenge the typical depictions of war and conflict often shown in the media.

Through its diverse body of work, Seeds of Hate and Hope explored how both individual and collective acts of resistance and resilience often take root in times of conflict. The exhibition emphasised the vital role that human empathy and respect play in safeguarding society against the destructive forces of prejudice, hate speech, discrimination and dehumanisation. Each artwork becomes a catalyst for healing – promoting tolerance and understanding across cultures, religions and identities.

Curated by Tafadzwa Makwabarara, Curator of Cultural Empowerment at the Sainsbury Centre and Jelena Sofronijevic, independent curator, writer and producer of the EMPIRE LINES podcast.

Exhibition research supported by the Jonathan Ruffer grant from the Art Fund.

This exhibition was part of our 2025-26 season Can We Stop Killing Each Other?

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Image top: Installation view of Mona Hatoum, Hot Spot, 2006. Stainless steel, neon tube. Courtesy of the David and Indrė Roberts Collection. © Mona Hatoum. All rights reserved, DACS 2025. Photo by Kate Wolstenholme.