UK Aids Memorial Quilt to be shown at Tate Modern

The UK Aids Memorial Quilt will be displayed at Tate Modern from June 12 to June 16, showcasing 42 quilts and 23 individual panels that commemorate 385 individuals who succumbed to HIV/Aids. The exhibition will occur in the Turbine Hall, with a live reading of names scheduled for June 14 to honor the deceased. Cleve Jones, an American activist, formed the NAMES Project in 1985, inviting communities to create textile panels in memory of loved ones lost to the Aids pandemic. Alistair Hulme, a Scottish activist, introduced the UK NAMES Project after attending an early display in San Francisco. The quilts have historically been displayed outdoors to raise awareness about HIV and Aids, accompanied by readings of the names inscribed on the panels.

This exhibition not only highlights the historical impact of the Aids pandemic but also serves as a call to continue fighting stigma and promoting awareness about HIV/Aids. The event reflects ongoing efforts to remember those who have died and to educate the public about the disease's lasting effects. The Tate Modern's display is a crucial step in keeping the memories of these individuals alive.