Seeds of Hate and Hope highlights personal artistic responses to global mass atrocities, such as genocides, ethnic cleansing, war crimes and crimes against humanity. Throughout the 20th and 21st centuries artists have witnessed, experienced, and responded to atrocity crimes and conflicts with powerful and compelling works. 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, the exhibition highlights artistic responses to such devastating events with creativity and courage. It features works by Mona Hatoum, William Kentridge, Hew Locke, Zoran Mušič, Peter Oloya and Kimberly Fulton Orozco, Indrė Šerpytytė, and many more. Focussing mostly on abstract representations, Seeds of Hate and Hope challenges typical depictions of war and conflict often shown in the media.

Through its diverse body of work, Seeds of Hate and Hope explores how both individual and collective acts of resistance and resilience often take root in times of conflict. The exhibition emphasises 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, empathy, 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.