‘Tenderness and Rage’ display at Wellcome Collection focuses on interwoven stories of protest and intimacy, connecting HIV and AIDS care to activists’ fight against misinformation, prejudice and government inaction.

From the early days of London’s AIDS epidemic to contemporary experiences of HIV in the Global South, the display highlights HIV as an ongoing and major global health challenge and the urgent work needed to combat stigma and secure equal access to prevention and treatment.  

The exhibition features two photographic projects created with artist Gideon Mendel: ‘The Ward’ (1993), a series depicting HIV patients on the Broderip Ward at Middlesex Hospital in London, and ‘Through Positive Eyes’ (2008 – present), a global participatory arts project with UCLA centring the first-hand, lived experience of people living with HIV.

Options for pre-opening tours and daytime tours or private views to complement your meeting are available to book. Please get in touch venuehire@wellcome.org or call 0207 611 2200

Open from 29 May 2026 to 30 May 2027

Wellcome Collection 

183 Euston Road

NW12BE