Tenderness and Rage is a free Wellcome Collection display exploring HIV and AIDS through photography, film, archives and stories of protest, care and community. It runs until Sunday 30 May 2027 in Gallery 3.

Read the exhibition guide →

What will you see?

The exhibition includes Gideon Mendel’s photographs of patients on AIDS wards at Middlesex Hospital, ACT UP London protest images and global stories from the Through Positive Eyes project. It also gives particular attention to women living with HIV and the work of peer-support communities.

There is a participatory placard-making area, inviting visitors to respond to the display’s themes of visibility, protest and collective action.

Access and getting there

Wellcome Collection is on Euston Road, close to Euston Square, Euston and King’s Cross St Pancras. The building is step-free throughout. The exhibition has BSL videos, captions, audio description, a visual story and sensory map, a large-print guide, tactile features and induction loops. Quietest times are usually weekday mornings.

Is Tenderness and Rage free?
Yes. Admission to the Wellcome Collection display is free.
Is there accessible exhibition information?
Yes. Wellcome Collection provides BSL content, audio description, transcripts, large print and sensory resources, as well as step-free access.
Is the exhibition suitable for younger visitors?
The listing does not give a formal age restriction. Its subject matter includes illness, stigma, bereavement and activism, so parents and carers may want to review the exhibition information before visiting with children.

Source and last check

Details checked on 4 October 2026 using the official Wellcome Collection exhibition page. Opening times and access resources can change, so check before travelling.