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.

The top left panel is for David C. Walburn (1966–1993). The design features a ruler timeline running across the panel, with a red line marking a point along it, noting how young David was when he died.

The top right panel reads: “In Fond Memory Of Richard Kyle Waterman, 1957–1992, Lots Of Love From All At Paul Smith.” The design features an American flag and a Union Jack side by side and was made by the team at Paul Smith.

The middle left panel reads “LOVE SEES NO COLOUR” in bold black lettering across bands of teal, orange, red fringing, white and navy and was made by the British fashion designer Joe Casely-Hayford.

The centre panel is for Doug McKenzie (1955–1994). His name and dates sit at the centre, surrounded by hand-painted curtains with red hearts.

The lower centre panel is for Andrew Justin Peggs, decorated with postcards, a yellow shirt, a red balloon, and small flags marking Madeira, Berlin, Bristol and London, along with a green fabric dog and a section that reads “dearest lovely Andipeggs”, listing affectionate words – courageous, strong, sharp, inspiring, glorious, stroppy, clever, epicurean, fabulous cook, scrumptious – around a stitched image of the globe.

The right middle panel is a painted portrait of a woman with dark hair, shown alongside a large sunflower and surrounded by tools and colourful patterned fabric.

The bottom left panel is a red and black tartan panel with the name Alistair D across it in black script, with an applique felt thistle.

The bottom right panel is a richly textured patchwork made from lots of different fabrics and decorated with buttons and beading to remember James.

Unfortunately we don’t have any information about the people remembered in this panel in our archive – if you made a panel or knew the person memorialised, we would love to hear from you and tell their stories.