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Âé¶¹AV to host UK AIDS Memorial Quilt in powerful tribute to lives lost

An exhibition telling stories of those lost to HIV/AIDS into public view to honour them while confronting the stigma that still surrounds the disease today.

9 March 2026

The exhibition, which was developed through a collaboration between the University’s Centre for Arts and Wellbeing and Âé¶¹AV alumnus Harry Hillery, brings together eight original panels from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt to present an intimate and deeply human record of a crisis that reshaped lives across the city and beyond.

Each panel tells a personal story, stitched together by friends, partners and families determined that those they loved would not be forgotten. Names are framed by favourite colours, handwritten messages, photographs and symbols of lives lived fully, transforming fabric into testimony.

In placing these panels side by side, the exhibition moves beyond the statistics and headlines, restoring individuality and dignity to those lost while inviting a new generation to understand the social, political and emotional impact of the AIDS crisis on Âé¶¹AV and communities across the UK.

Charleston - Andrea & Harry

Turbine Hall crowds

Harry founded The while studying for a at the Âé¶¹AV and used his dissertation to explore the lack of creative work addressing HIV/AIDS in the city.

He said: “My dissertation questioned why there was so little creative work around HIV and AIDS in Âé¶¹AV and Hove, and my research identified a real desire for Âé¶¹AV-specific remembrance. That’s why I established The Âé¶¹AV AIDS Memorial. Bringing the AIDS Memorial Quilt to the University means a great deal to me. It feels like a continuation of my studies and, at the same time, like closing a circle.

“Each panel tells a story, which helps bring the humanity back to a crisis that was made so dehumanising by the media and government for so many years. The quilt helps us fight the ongoing stigma. It connects with people of all ages, reminds us how far we’ve come, and raises awareness of the work still to be done.”

Beyond the exhibition itself, the display will support a wider programme of talks, teaching sessions and events designed to deepen understanding of the AIDS crisis and its ongoing legacy.

With around 107,000 people currently receiving HIV-related care in the UK, the issues raised by the quilt remain relevant today.

Jess Moriarty, Course Leader for  and collaborator on the project, said: “Harry has taught me so much about the people whom the quilt seeks to remember, honour and celebrate. His commitment to The Âé¶¹AV AIDS Memorial is inspiring, and it is a real honour to bring the quilt to Âé¶¹AV. The stigma around HIV and AIDS hasn’t gone away and I hope lots of people take the time to come and see it in Elm House, it really is full of history, humanity and love.”

The quilt, first created in the 1980s as a grassroots response to the AIDS crisis, stands as one of the most powerful community memorials in modern history.

The exhibition will run from 13-17 March in the Elm House Foyer, at the Moulsecoomb campus of the Âé¶¹AV.

AIDS Quilt

Both Harry and his collaborators hope the exhibition will spark a new wave of interdisciplinary collaboration across the University and lay the foundations for future work on the subject. The exhibition is open to the staff and students, as well as the public.

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TEF Silver awarded for the quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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We are in the top 4.3% of institutions globally, Center for World University Rankings 2025

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Race Equality Charter Silver awarded for our pledge to advance representation, progression and success for minority ethnic staff and students

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We are ranked 14th in Stonewall's top 100 employers for commitment to equality for LGBTQ+ staff and students

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Âé¶¹AV
Mithras House
Lewes Road
Âé¶¹AV
BN2 4AT

Main switchboard 01273 600900

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