Serpentine Gallery removes Sackler name from North building amid opioid controversy

The Serpentine Gallery in London has officially changed the name of its Serpentine Sackler Gallery to Serpentine North Gallery, eliminating the Sackler name from its marketing materials and website, although it remains on the building itself. This rebranding effort aims to distance the gallery from the controversies tied to the Sackler family, who own Purdue Pharma and are associated with the opioid crisis due to their production of OxyContin. Following pressure from artist Hito Steyerl, the Serpentine ceased accepting donations from the family in 2019. Activist group P.A.I.N., led by Nan Goldin, has staged protests against institutions that accept Sackler funding. Last week, Purdue Pharma submitted a bankruptcy plan to remove the Sackler family from its leadership. The gallery originally opened in 2013, following a £5.5 million donation from the Sackler foundation.