Chiharu Shiota: Threads of Life
Marvel at the artist’s immense and intricate web-like installations, exploring the body, memory, consciousness and the fragility of existence.
Chiharu Shiota is best-known for her large-scale installations which engulf ordinary objects – such as shoes, keys, beds, chairs and dresses – within huge web structures made from woollen thread.
The resulting works are immersive and deeply emotive, often drawing from personal experience, which Shiota expands into universal human concerns such as life, death and relationships.
Accompanied by new large-scale sculptures, drawings, early performance videos and photographs, the artist’s signature works are woven from floor-to-ceiling across the Hayward Gallery’s top floor, responding to the gallery’s iconic brutalist architecture in a truly atmospheric presentation.
The exhibition features new iterations of Shiota’s past monumental installations, including During Sleep (2026), which is activated with performances throughout the run of the exhibition.
During Sleep performances are free with a ticket to the exhibition and take place on Saturday 7 March, 11 April & 2 May, 10am – 1pm.
Need to know
This exhibition is on display alongside the exhibition Yin Xiuzhen: Heart to Heart.
Find out more
Each ticket includes entry to both exhibitions.
On occasion there may be queues to enter the gallery or to see specific installations during busy times. If you are not able to queue or need further assistance, our Visitor Assistants are here to help.
Learn more about the exhibition, with behind-the-scenes insights, on the Bloomberg Connects app.
Reviews
‘plunges you into its world of colour and mystery’
The Guardian
‘mind-blowing.’ Londonist
‘envelops visitors in a mesh of threads that echoes the complexity and nuance of life itself.’
The Wick
‘this is immersive art with tensile integrity’ArtsHub
Selected works
Preparation story
There is a preparation story available for audience members who may benefit from preparing for the exhibition.
View preparation story
Gallery supporters
Chiharu Shiota Threads of Life was realised with generous support provided by the Huo Family Foundation and Hiroyuki Maki. We are also grateful for key support from Max and Monique Burger and the TOY family, and Nicola Chu.
For your visit
This event is held at the Hayward Gallery Southbank Centre
The Hayward Gallery is currently closed.
It reopens for Anish Kapoor on Tuesday 16 June 2026.
Plan your visit
The Hayward Gallery is also where you’ll find the HENI Project Space.
Getting here
Our address is Southbank Centre, Belvedere Road, London, SE1 8XX.
The nearest tube stations to us are Waterloo and Embankment; Waterloo is also the nearest train station. And more than 20 different London bus routes pass within 500 metres of our venues. More information on getting here by rail, road or river is available on our Getting here page.
Cloakroom
We have a cloakroom for coats, umbrellas and small bags; it costs £2 per item.
We’re cash-free
Please note that we’re unable to accept cash payments across our venues.
Access
We’re working hard to remove barriers, so that our facilities and events can be accessible to as many people as possible.
All help points, toilets, performance and exhibition spaces at the Southbank Centre are accessible to all, as are the cafes, bars and restaurants. We also have excellent public transport links with step-free access.
All information about booking wheelchair spaces, step-free access, blue badge parking, access maps and guides and other help available whilst you’re here, including details about our Access Scheme, can be found on our Access page.
Exhibition tours
Guided tours of our Hayward Gallery exhibitions are available to ticket holders; the dates and times of these can be found when you click through to book your exhibition tickets.
If you’d like to arrange a private/group tour of an exhibition, please contact us. The Hayward Gallery does not accept external tour guides or tour groups – all exhibition tours must be arranged through the Southbank Centre.
Food & drink
Offering sandwiches, salads, cakes and coffee, Hayward Gallery Cafe is the perfect spot for a pre-exhibition energy boost or a post-visit drink.
From coffee to cocktails, filling favourites to fine dining, plus some of London’s best street food – it’s all here at the Southbank Centre.