Why Do We Take Drugs?

Through a six-month season of interlinked exhibitions and programmes, the Sainsbury Centre explores the question 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.

14 September- 27 April 2025

Ayahuasca & Art of the Amazon

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 their artistic production.

14 September- 2 February 2025

Heroin Falls

Heroin Falls unflinchingly reveals heroin dependency as seen through the eyes of two remarkable photographers. The exhibition aims to show how substance use and dependency is a global challenge that transcends race, location and class.

23 November- 27 April 2025

Power Plants: Intoxicants, Stimulants and Narcotics

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- 2 February 2025

Living Art: Six Ways to Enjoy This Unique Experience

This display dramatically reimagines how we can revitalise the cross-cultural conversations that were established at the foundation of the Sainsbury Centre in the 1970s.