Igniting discussion and challenging perspectives, the Sainsbury Centre’s latest exhibition, Why Do We Take Drugs, has become a powerful and immersive exhibition, fusing together an exploration of drug use throughout time, culture, society, and human relationships.  

As I’m sure many of us have all experienced the in the westernised schooling system, we have been forced to sit through PSHE classes and many ‘drug talks’ that have overall manufactured and continued the societal taboo surrounding drugs. Drugs so often have such a detrimental role upon individuals’ lives, fostering relationships and destroying them all in one go, frequently the “catalyst for personal turmoil,” as curator Jago Cooper expresses, and yet drug use is so often pushed under a rug and discussed behind closed doors. So why do we take drugs? When does a drug become a drug? What do they do? Are they always so bad? These are just a few questions this exhibition strives to answer.  

Upon entering the exhibition, there was a unique atmosphere from the start. The rooms were decorated with artefacts that highlight the themes of the exhibition, illustrating a balance between the science, nature and art of drug use: all boiling down to its roots. People all around the world have been using drugs — whether they are ceremonial like the use of peyote in Mexico and ayahuasca in the Peruvian Amazon, or recreational, like nyaope in South Africa and heroin in the United States. The exhibition peels away the layers of complexity and condenses them into the main essence on why people use drugs. A constant motif through the exhibition, recurring in all the cultures presented, was spirituality. Humans all over the world use drugs to enter a heightened sense of self-awareness and strengthen the connection between mankind, nature, and everything in between. These ideas raise the arguments on how we view religion — as simply a part of human nature, deep down, rather than messages coming from a transcendent, omnipotent, holy being. It shows an intimate side humans have with religion and our place in the world.  

A critical part of the exhibition is its artistic connection to artefacts with contemporary artists offering interpretations of drug experiences. These works, ranging from abstract paintings and sculpture to immersive digital installations (including a fantastical VR experience, not for the weak hearted!) confronts the emotional and psychological complexities of drug use in modern society. And yet, among all these captivating installations Sara Flores’ simple, geometric paintings are the ones that stood out to me. From floor to ceiling, her designs, painted freehand as they appear to her impulsively, created a mesmerizing illusion. Inspiring these paintings is the practice of Kene, coming from the visions of the plant-based ayahuasca. This practice is passed down through the female line of the family, illustrating a meta-physicality of the practice which appears in the branching artwork itself.  

Through art, history, and science, the Sainsbury Centre’s “Why Do We Take Drugs?” is a must-see exhibition that takes on one of society’s most controversial topics with courage, empathy, and intellectual curiosity. Whether you are interested in the cultural history of such substances, the modern-day implications of addiction, or the role of drugs play in art and spirituality, this exhibition offers something to ponder for everyone. As we navigate a world where drug use is often stigmatized and misunderstood, this exhibition is a reminder of how integral — and sometimes perilous —our relationship with drugs has always been, sparking introspection on the deeper human desire to transcend, escape, and transform our reality.