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 top left panel remembers John Bus. The panel and letter was written by his friend Scott, who he met in a bar in Amsterdam. The top centre panel is for John’s partner Roel Arisz. Roel died peacefully a year after John. Scott describes them as ‘two special friends’.
The top right panel remembers Gary Palmer. A photograph of Gary is surrounded by handwritten messages of love and remembrance.
The centre panel remembers Peter Turnbull. A central design of a white picket fence looks out over some green rolling hills, a white cloud has the words ‘Hair by Paco’ in it. Either side of the design are a silhouette of a horse and hairdressing scissors with a comb.
The bottom right panel remembers Andrea. Originally from Brazil, Andrea was a fabulous hairdresser who enjoyed five or more sugars in his coffee.
The bottom left panel remembers Michael Heath. Michael was a founding member and Chair of the Gay Medical Association. The panel features a poem from his partner Stewart:
‘Death is nothing at all
I have only slipped away into the next room
Whatever we were to each other
That we still are.
Call me by my old familiar name
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used
I am I and you are you
Put no difference into your tone.
Wear no forced air of solemnity or sorrow.
Laugh as we always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together
Play, smile, think of me, pray for me
Let my name be ever the household word that it always was
Let it be spoken without effect
Without the trace of a shadow on it
Life means all that it ever meant
It is the same as it ever was
There is absolutely unbroken continuity
What is this death but negligible accident!
Why should I be out of mind because I am out of sight?
I am but waiting for you
For an interval
Somewhere very near
Just around the corner
All is well!’
Alan Cameron - Peter Turnbull - Andrea Regard - Gary Palmer - Michael Heath - Roel Arisz - John Bus - Rejected Denied Alone
Zoom in and see all the details on Google Arts & Culture page.
Remembering and celebrating all those lost to HIV