Seeds of Hate and Hope

Co-exhibitors:

Mona Hatoum

Seeds of Hate and Hope presents 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 explores 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 highlights artistic responses to such devastating events with creativity and courage. It features 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 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 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.