Explore the Quilt

in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture

The collection of UK AIDS Quilts were made between 1989 and 1996 to commemorate friends, lovers and family members who passed away from an AIDS related illness during this time. These individual panels were never sewn into quilts and often refer to a single person or message. You can zoom in to some of the specific details listed below.

The panel reads, ‘Never Forget / Richard Chappell / Killed by AIDS’. A design of spring flowers and birds is around th text with the rainbow Pride flag on the left. Below the text is a stanza of poetry reading: ‘Spirit of purity, he stands / As once he lived in charm and grace / I may not hold him with my hands / Nor bid him stay to heal my sorrow; / Only his fair unshadowed face / Abides with me until tomorrow.’