Born in Osaka, Japan, Chiharu Shiota pursued an international education, studying at Kyoto Seika University, the Canberra School of Art, and later in Germany under Marina Abramović and Rebecca Horn. She has been based in Berlin since 1996, where she developed her signature practice of transforming architectural spaces into dense, web-like installations.

Shiota’s work is characterized by the use of thousands of strands of yarn to suspend objects such as keys, shoes, or letters, creating a visceral connection between the physical environment and the viewer's psychological perception. Her installations often serve as meditations on personal narratives, the body, and the concept of interconnectedness.

Her work continues to be featured in major international art fairs and institutional exhibitions. Most recently, she has been highlighted for her participation in the Encounters sector at Art Basel Hong Kong, where her large-scale installation work remains a focal point for discussions on socially engaged practice and cultural heritage.