Explore the Quilt

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. You can zoom in to some of the specific details listed below.

The centre left panel remembers Rodney Dunne. The quilt panel was submitted by Alison Townley and Brian Walker who write: ‘We could not bring ourselves to write about Rodney. We would not have known where to begin and where to end. We just know that we still love him and miss him.’

The left panel remembers Manic Mary with a bright black on pink design with their name.

The bottom left panel remembers John St James, below his name the text reads: ‘ My Dearest Jon, I will remember you with happiness, with love in my heart and our friendship I will treasure always, all the time we are apart. xxx’

The centre left panel remembers Andrew. Andrew adored the moon in all its glory – hence the moon on the panel. AJ, who loved Andrew, remembers gazing at the moon on a clear night, taking romantic walks in the moonlight, and writing poems about the moon . AJ writes: these: ‘were some of our best times together. Because neither of us were openly gay we often had to meet in tucked away places at night. The moon was our only companion all through this time…Hugging him tightly to myself I said, “Andrew, look at the moon. I promise you that we will be together every night to watch the moon.” Little did I realise then that there is no moon on the new moon nights. Usually this dark moon-less night happens once a month – but since the day that Andrew left me our moon has set for good.’

Aj wrote to Andrew during his illness, unfortunately his last poem remained with AJ but is featured on the quilt here and reads:
‘Don’t be dismayed at good-byes. A farewell is necessary before we can meet again. / And meeting again after moments of lifetimes, is certain for those who are in Love / I miss you so much’

The bottom right panel remembers Gareth Allison, made by a group of colleagues and friends. Gareth spent his life raising awareness about AIDS and attempting to stem the spread of AIDS. The group wanted to remember: ‘AIDS is an illness that kills young people; How much we valued Gareth; How much we valued his work.’

The centre right panel remembers Eran Gil. Eran worked at London Lighthouse, giving help, support, advice and love. He is remembered as a ‘thoroughly good person of graceful form and of beautiful spirit’.
The top centre panel remembers Martin Loveday. Martin generated ‘such joy, such an intense interest in life, in art, in music, in people, that you could only feel enriched.

The top right panel remembers Diva Dan Danny. A design of butterflies and a musical score with the words ‘ Secret Love’ decorate the panel.