UK / East / Norfolk
Power Plants: Intoxicants, Stimulants and Narcotics at Sainsbury Centre
Sainsbury Centre, University of East Anglia, Norfolk Road Norwich, NR4 7TJ
14th September - 2nd February
From peyote to tobacco, for millennia people have used the psychoactive properties of plants as an integral part of social, ceremonial and religious life.
In many parts of the world, plants of power – whether this be spiritual, economic, mind-altering or cultural – are regarded as sacred. They are valued for their capacity to deepen human relationships, facilitate communication with ancestors, and heal the sick.
‘Power Plants: Intoxicants, Stimulants and Narcotics’ features objects, sculpture, yarn paintings, digital works, textiles, plus a selection of Japanese art, to explore the important role that stimulants and intoxicants continue to perform within societies.
The show references 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.
The exhibition shows works by contemporary artists such as South African artist Sethembile Msezane and Mexican artist Guadalupe Muñoz, and features newly commissioned work from Togolese-British artist Divine Southgate-Smith.
The green tea section, set out as a tearoom for a ceremony, is curated by Mr Yasuhiro Yamaguchi, a Urasenke School tea ceremony practitioner and teacher.
View AttractionOpening Times
Tuesday - Friday
9.00 - 18.00
(exhibitions open 9.30am)
Saturday - Sunday
10.00 - 17.00
Closed Mondays, including bank holidays.
Prices
Our Universal Ticket grants access to the permanent collection, lower and mezzanine galleries, and Sculpture Park.
Tickets operate on a ‘Pay If and What You Can’ basis, so you can choose the price from free through to full membership.
Upon arrival, please go to gallery reception where our universal ticket is available.
Facilities
Café
Car Parking
Picnic Site
Baby Changing
Disabled Access
Toilets
Other things to do nearby
Ivan Morison: Towards the Weird Heart of Things at Sainsbury Centre
Artist Ivan Morison creates a new site-specific series of sculptures which will sit in the Sainsbury Centre Sculpture Park as part of the ‘Why Do We Take Drugs?’ season.
View event
Lindsey Mendick: Hot Mess at Sainsbury Centre
Lindsey Mendick subverts the tradition of ceramics with her darkly comic, confessional works.
View event
Heroin Falls at Sainsbury Centre
‘Heroin Falls’ highlights the realities of heroin addiction through the juxtaposition of two different worlds through the eyes of two incredible photographers.
View event
Ayahuasca & Art of the Amazon at Sainsbury Centre
This exhibition considers the impact of the mind-altering, psychotropic vine – ayahuasca – within Western Amazonian social life.
View event
A Sparkly Light & Panto Trail at BeWILDerwood Norfolk
We are thrilled to announce the return of our award-winning Christmas event with our NEW for 2024 Father Christmas Meet & Greet.
View event
Searles Sea Tours
Searles Sea Tours run unique and exciting seal safaris and coastal trips, two famous amphibious vessels, the Wash Monsters.
View attraction
Willow Tree Delicatessen
Willow Tree Delicatessen, located within the award winning Wroxham Barns Shopping Village, reflects the owners advocacy and passion for the region, celebrating the absolute best of Norfolk and East Anglia.
View attraction
Bircham Windmill
Standing in the heart of Norfolk’s undulating fields, Bircham Windmill now looks as it did over 100 years ago. At that time over 300 mills ground corn for horse & cattle feed and bread-making in Norfolk.
View attractionLatest News
Top 5 places in the UK to birdwatch
The UK is home to some fantastically colourful, elusive and rare species. To celebrate their numerous species, we have put together a list of top 5 places in the UK to birdwatch.