Hayward Gallery

SRM AKA SK★★★★★★★★★★5.03 weeks ago

“Threads of Life” by Japanese artist Chiharu Shiota at the Hayward Gallery was one of the most emotionally powerful and visually unforgettable exhibitions I’ve experienced in London. The exhibition explored memory, human connection, identity, love, loss and the invisible threads that link every person together throughout life. Shiota is internationally known for her immense thread installations, and seeing them in person is something photos genuinely cannot prepare you for. Walking into the gallery felt almost surreal. Entire rooms were consumed by thousands upon thousands of woven threads stretching from floor to ceiling — deep crimson reds, dark blacks and fragile whites suspended across space like emotional architecture. The scale of it was overwhelming in the best possible way. At first, you admire the beauty of it visually. But then something shifts. The threads slowly stop looking like thread and begin feeling symbolic — like memories crossing over one another, people entering and leaving our lives, emotions becoming tangled, relationships holding on by invisible connections we often cannot explain. Shiota’s work transforms ordinary objects into something deeply human. Keys, beds, dresses, letters, chairs and doorways appeared trapped within these giant woven webs, almost as if frozen inside memory itself. Every object felt like it belonged to someone. Someone loved. Someone lost. Someone remembered. One of the most striking parts of the exhibition was the way it captured the complexity of human existence without needing many words at all. No loud explanations. No forced narratives. Just emotion suspended in space. The red thread installations especially carried an incredible emotional intensity. In Japanese culture, red thread is often associated with fate and invisible connections between people, and you could truly feel that idea throughout the exhibition. Every strand felt like destiny, heartbreak, healing, longing and human connection woven together into one giant living network. Some sections felt comforting and beautiful. Others felt heavy, almost haunting. There were moments where the installations felt like anxiety made visible — thoughts tangled endlessly together. Other moments felt intimate and tender, reminding you of the people who quietly shape your life forever. What impressed me most was how personal the exhibition became for every visitor. Everyone seemed to interpret it differently depending on their own memories and experiences. Some people probably walked through and simply saw art. Others saw grief. Love. Loneliness. Family. Trauma. Hope. The people they miss. The versions of themselves they used to be. That is what made it extraordinary. It wasn’t just an exhibition you looked at. It was an exhibition you felt. The brutalist architecture of the Hayward Gallery made everything even more immersive, creating this strange contrast between cold concrete and fragile emotional threadwork. It felt like stepping inside the human mind itself. More than anything, “Threads of Life” reminded me how connected human beings really are, even when life makes us feel isolated. Every interaction leaves something behind. Every person becomes part of somebody else’s story. Beautiful, haunting, emotional and deeply thought-provoking. One of the most meaningful exhibitions London has hosted in recent years. ✨.

Review Lad★★★★★★★★★★5.07 months ago

I've been to the Hayward Gallery for many different exhibitions over the years and it never disappoints. Seeing how the art interacts with the Brutalist architecture is always a highlight. The staircases are a thing of marvel and when the curators use this as hanging space, it enhances the individuality and creativity of this exhibition space. The gallery is in a convenient and central location with a range of amenities surrounding it, making it a perfect destination. I visited the exhibition in the late afternoon, there was no queue for tickets and I breezed on in with the attendants being informative, welcoming and friendly. The average time you'll likely spend viewing exhibitions here is roughly an hour, depending on how thorough you want to be while absorbing the art work. There's a small but perfectly formed gift shop upon exit, selling everything from exhibition merchandise, art materials, to high and low brow art books. Afterwards, I enjoyed a a spritz and dinner, over looking the Thames on the Southbank. A wonderful way to spend an afternoon in London.

Alexandra Tanase★★★★★★★★★★5.03 months ago

I went for the expo of Shiota and Xiuzhen and I loved it. Everything was so well organized. This expo is a must see.🤍

Scottieboyuk★★★★★★★★★★5.07 months ago

Totally loved it here. We went to the Gilbert & George expo. Glad we did, what a great space, staff were very friendly and we had a chat with them on the way out. Stunning work and well worth the visit, in London for the weekend and was lucky to catch this. Great venue, loved it.

laurence hegarty★★★★★★★★★★5.05 months ago

The Gilbert and George "21st century drawings" show is absolutely amazing, it's monumental in scale. The Hayward is the perfect location for these enormous pieces of art, every gallery is spacious and has lots of height. Highly recommended !