Display of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt at Tate Modern
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, a poignant reminder of the lives lost to AIDS, will be displayed at Tate Modern in London from 12-16 June 2025. This powerful symbol of remembrance, activism, and community solidarity was first created in the United States in 1985 by activist Cleve Jones, and the UK version began in the late 1980s by Scottish activist Alastair Hulme.
The quilt consists of 42 panels, each containing up to eight smaller panels with testimonials, photos, documents, and other tributes. Notable individuals commemorated on the quilt include writer Bruce Chatwin and actor Ian Charleson. This community art project serves as a testament to the lives of those affected by HIV and AIDS, offering warmth and comfort during a time when many faced fear and rejection.
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt is one of the largest community arts projects ever, comprising 42 quilts commemorating 384 individuals affected by HIV and AIDS. Over the years, it has remained in storage, facing the threat of deterioration. However, the formation of the AIDS Memorial Quilt Conservation Partnership ensured its preservation.
The upcoming exhibition at Tate Modern, London, will be the first large-scale public showing in the UK in over 30 years. It will provide visitors with a rare opportunity to see the quilt laid out in a grid across the Turbine Hall's floor, echoing earlier outdoor displays. The exhibition aims to raise awareness about the ongoing AIDS pandemic and offer an opportunity for public grieving and reflection on the epidemic’s human toll.
Tate Modern's director, Karin Hindsbo, considers the quilt an 'incredible feat of creative human expression' and anticipates it to be a 'deeply moving experience' for visitors. In the tradition of the protests where the quilts originated, two live readings of the names on the quilt will take place on 14 June at 11am and 2pm.
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt remains a vital tool in continuing the struggle against HIV/AIDS discrimination and ignorance. It humanizes the crisis by honoring individuals lost to AIDS, offering warmth and comfort during a time when many faced fear and rejection. By presenting the stories of those affected, the quilt combats stigma and continues to raise public awareness about the ongoing impact of HIV/AIDS.
| Aspect | Details | |-------------------------|-------------------------------------| | Origins | Began in USA, 1985 by Cleve Jones; UK version started ~1989 by Alastair Hume | | Composition | 42 quilts + 23 panels; 384 individuals commemorated | | Major Past Display | 1994 'Quilts of Love' at Hyde Park Corner, London | | 2025 Tate Modern Display| June 12-16, 2025, first large UK public show in 30 years | | Significance | Memorializes lives lost; raises HIV/AIDS awareness; fights stigma through community art |
This exhibition at Tate Modern reinforces the Quilt’s enduring role as both a work of creative expression and a vital tool in continuing the struggle against HIV/AIDS discrimination and ignorance.
Displaying at Tate Modern's Turbine Hall, the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will offer visitors a rare glimpse into home-and-garden creations that transcend their usual purposes. This unique piece, a vivid testament to lifestyle, was crafted to memorialize individuals affected by HIV and AIDS, serving as a symbol of hope, solidarity, and the human spirit's resilience amidst adversity.
