Can We Stop Killing Each Other? (2025)

Can We Stop Killing Each Other? wrestles with the darkest side of humanity. It explores the fundamental question of why humans are led to kill, examining the artworks, films, video games and television programmes that grapple with and manifest themes of death and destruction.

Using material culture linked to moments of extreme violence, such as the Holocaust and the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, this publication offers a challenging but eye-opening consideration of some of the most horrifying events in human history as explored through art.

Using historical and contemporary art as a lens to explore these themes, the book will include a new interview with Ethiopian artist Tesfaye Urgessa (b.1983), who creates emotive paintings reflecting on the refugee crisis. It will also explore the role of art as a sanctuary from violence, through new approaches to the work of Claude Monet (1840–1926).

The book accompanies a series of exhibitions at the Sainsbury Centre running from 20th September 2025 to 3rd May 2026. There are new approaches to the work of renowned artists such as Magdalena Abakanowicz, Luca Giordano, Claude Monet, Paul Nash, Bruce Nauman, Wael Shawky, Tesfaye Urgessa and Kara Walker.