The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, a unique piece of art and commemoration, is being displayed at the Woolwich Works, the Fireworks Factory, from Saturday, 3rd of December to Sunday, 18th of December. The exhibition commemorates World AIDS Day.
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is a testament to the many lives lost in those early years of the HIV AIDS epidemic. It comprises forty-eight 12-foot square pieces, each containing up to eight smaller panels. Each panel was contributed to by those who had lost someone.
There are 384 panels; some are tributes to individuals, while others are tributes to whole groups or regions. Each segment of the Quilt contains up to eight smaller panels created by the lovers, family and friends of the people who died. Creating these panels helped in the grieving process for some. Many panels are linked to a folder containing personal photographs and letters of the person being commemorated. A lot of the panels were made in workshops at the London Lighthouse hospice.
The Quilt is an important piece of social history. It is a patchwork of the many personal memories that combine to form a public memorial. It is both folk art and a protest. The Quilt is a time capsule and a record of the many lives lost too soon. It is a celebration of humanity and an expression of the grief of individuals and whole communities.
The equality and diversity services charity METRO runs the exhibition which is open until the 18th of December. It is free to attend, and no booking is necessary.
