Why Do We Take Drugs?
14 September - 27 April 2025Our new Universal Ticket allows access to our entire gallery. This ticket operates on a ‘Pay If and What You Can’ basis. Upon arrival, please go to gallery reception where our universal ticket is available. No pre-booking necessary. If you would like to make a Group Booking or have additional access needs, please contact us on scva@uea.ac.uk or 01603 593199
Highs and lows of drug taking explored in radical exhibition programme at the Sainsbury Centre
In September 2024, the Sainsbury Centre began a journey of activating art to address its current big question through a six-month season of interlinked exhibitions and programmes exploring Why Do We Take Drugs?
From alcohol and caffeine to ayahuasca and heroin, this season uses art to take visitors on a journey of investigation, inviting audiences to explore the world of global drug cultures from illegal to familiar across one mind-blowing museum landscape.
This carefully curated programme will delve into drug cultures around the world and bring to life the highs and lows of drug taking in society.
14 September 2024 – 2 February 2025
For millennia people have used the psychoactive properties of plants as an integral part of social, ceremonial and religious life. The show will reference global artefacts that are connected with the traditional consumption of tobacco and snuff, betel nut, kava, tea and palm wine, alongside an exploration of the sacred, hallucinogenic cactus, peyote.
14 September 2024 – 2 February 2025
This exhibition considers the impact of the mind-altering, psychotropic vine – ayahuasca – within Western Amazonian social life. It explores how the ritual consumption of ayahuasca is linked to artistic production of ceramics, textiles, sculpture, painting and photography. Visitors will also be able to take a virtual ‘trip’ on an ayahuasca journey – guided by a shaman – thanks to a powerful VR experience.
23 November 2024 – 27 April 2025
Heroin Falls highlights the realities of addiction through the juxtaposition of Magnum photographer Lindokuhle Sobekwa who documents the use of nyaope in Thokoza, and Graham MacIndoe, who photographed himself whilst addicted to heroin.
23 November 2024 – 27 April 2025
In her most personal work to date, Mendick explores her intertwined relationship with alcohol, mental illness and antidepressants through newly commissioned ceramics. Through mythology, pathos and humour, she unpacks her (at times) debilitating anxiety and the ways in which society has learned to self-medicate by taking drugs and drinking socially.
Sculpture Park Commission by Ivan Morison
October 2024 – February 2025
New four-meter-high, site-specific sculptures by artist Ivan Morison, constructed from abundant East Anglian agricultural organic materials including hemp, present nature as a vital drug for human health and well-being.
Large Print Guide
We’re committed to making our exhibitions accessible to everyone. Click here to access our large print guide for the season.
Images from top:
Detail of Sara Flores, Untitled (Maya Kené 15, 2023), 2023, Vegetal dyes on wild-cotton canvas 51 5/8 x 90 11/16 in. (131.1 x 230.3 cm) © the artist. Photo © White Cube (Ollie Hammick)
Annabel Diaz, Untitled, 2022. Copyright: Anabel Diaz. Image courtesy of Bienal de Arte Huichol / Arte Yawí
Unknown artist, jar, Shipibo-Konibo, Peru, date unknown, painted terra-cotta. Courtesy of private collection
Lindokuhle Sobekwa, Thabang waking up in the early hours of the morning, 2015, from the Nyaope. Copyright: Lindokuhle Sobekwa / Magnum Photos
Graham MacIndoe, My Addiction. Copyright: Graham MacIndoe
Lindsey Mendick, SH*TFACED at Jupiter Artland, 2023. Installation View. Copyright: Lindsey Mendick. Image: by John Mackenzie
Ivan Morison. Image: Charles Emerson
