"To me the threads are tied together like neurons in our brain that represent memories and cognition, and connections between people," she says.

One installation named Accumulation－Searching for the Destination is made up of more than 400 oscillating suitcases hung from red threads. Inspired by a sheet of old newspaper in a suitcase she found in Berlin, she became fascinated with old suitcases and started to collect them 10 years ago. Used suitcases represent a person's memory, movements and the journey of their life, she says.

The exhibition includes her sculptures, early-age paintings, photographs and video footage of performances.

The COVID-19 pandemic has made traveling and other aspects of life difficult for people all over the world, and being able to present the exhibition in Shanghai made her especially happy and grateful, Shiota says. "I hope people can still experience the power of creativity, and get strength from art."

Long Museum expects the exhibition to be its most popular show this year, and has kept it open on weekends, too. According to Shanghai's pandemic control protocol, the museum must take measures to cap its number of visitors at 4,000 at one time.

Contact the writer at zhangkun@chinadaily.com.cn

If you go

Shiota Chiharu: The Soul Trembles

Dec 19-March 3. 10 am-5:30 pm (last entry at 4:30 pm), Tuesday-Thursday; 10 am-8 pm (last entry at 7 pm), Friday-Sunday. Long Museum West Bund, 3398 Longteng Avenue, Xuhui district, Shanghai. 021-6422-7636.

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