The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be displayed at Tate Modern in June 2025, commemorating lives lost during the AIDS epidemic. Created in the 1980s, the quilt features 42 panels representing individuals who died from AIDS. This marks its first major showing in a British institution since the 90s.
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be showcased at London’s Tate Modern for the first time later this year, marking a significant event for remembrance during the AIDS epidemic. Created in the 1980s by Scottish activist Alistair Hume, it aimed to raise awareness about the lives lost to AIDS, drawing inspiration from the US AIDS Quilt.
Originally displayed in the late ’80s and early ’90s, the quilt has been largely in storage, with its last exhibition in London taking place during the 2021 European AIDS conference. The quilt features 42 large panels made from smaller panels, each symbolising a life lost to AIDS, representing approximately 384 individuals from around the UK. By 2011, over 20,335 people diagnosed with HIV had died in the UK.
From June 12-16, 2025, visitors can view the quilt at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall. Fashion critic Charlie Porter, involved in organising the exhibition, described the experience of being near the quilt as “a humbling experience.” He emphasised the importance of displaying the quilt in iconic places to convey the message about HIV/AIDS.
The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt represents a poignant reminder of the lives lost during the AIDS epidemic. Its upcoming exhibition at Tate Modern highlights the importance of remembrance and awareness. Through its display, visitors will engage with the history and impact of HIV/AIDS in the UK.
Original Source: www.timeout.com