A WORLD IN CRISIS! The divide between rich and poor creates conflict. A culture of surveillance and data mining defines our existence. Innocence can become cruelty at the click of a button. Has the line between good and evil ever been less clear? Can we take the heroes and villains of our time at face value or should we not judge a book by its cover?

Since the dawn of great storytelling, exemplified by Homer’s epic poem The Iliad, we have sought to fulfil our need for heroes in answer to villainy. What does a hero look like and what makes a villain? When does hero worship turn to vilification? How does a sporting hero like Roy Keane compare with the ancient warrior Achilles?

Heroes and Villains, selected works from the collection, invites you to question traditional archetypes of good and bad.

Curated by Anne Boddaert & Dr Michael Waldron.