Exhibition: The Quilt: An Australian AIDS Memorial
Open weekdays 9am - 6pm, until 6pm on Thursdays
THE QUILT:
AN AUSTRALIAN AIDS MEMORIAL
7 NOVEMBER - 2 DECEMBER 2022
Quilts are inherently special objects. Made by an individual for their home, or by a group for their community, quilts are representative of love and connection. Using quilts to remember those who lost their lives to AIDS was the idea of US activist Cleve Jones, who among others founded the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt (1987). This distinctive memorial is today the largest piece of community folk art in the world.
The Quilt Project expanded internationally, and by 1989 more than twenty countries had launched similar commemorative projects based on the Quilt. The Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt Project emerged in 1988, when Andrew Carter visited the NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt in Atlanta. Inspired by his experience he connected with friends to create the first quilt panels and establish a similar project in Australia.
The project set out with three objectives:
- To provide a positive and creative means of expression for those whose lives have been touched by the epidemic
- To illustrate the impact of the AIDS epidemic by showing the humanity behind the statistics
- To encourage support for people with AIDS and their loved ones
The Quilt Project was launched by Ita Buttrose on World AIDS Day, 1 December 1988. The Quilt displayed four quilts remembering family, friends, and lovers. The quilt expanded and today over 120 quilts remember over 2,500 individuals. SAMESH and The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre remember those whose lives have been touched by HIV/AIDS.
This exhibition, presented as part of Feast Festival, is curated by South Australia Mobilisation + Empowerment for Sexual Health (SAMESH), and features several blocks from the iconic quilt and important ephemera associated with the AIDS epidemic. Featured alongside these iconic quilts will be a display from the Feast Festival collection to celebrate and commemorate 25 fabulous years of LGBTQIA+ arts and cultural vibrancy in South Australia.
EXHIBITION DETAILS
7 November - 2 December 2022
Open weekdays 9am - 6pm
Closed on Public Holidays
FREE ENTRY
Kerry Packer Civic Gallery
Hawke Building Level 3, UniSA City West Campus
55 North Terrace Adelaide MAP
Presented by The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and South Australia Mobilisation + Empowerment for Sexual Health (SAMESH), as part of Feast Festival
Middle: The Quilt Pamphlet 1989, Paper. On loan from the SAMESH Archive, and on loan from a private collection, Adelaide Australia
Right: Anonymous Makers (Australia), Activism Buttons 1980-1990’s, Metal, paper, plastic. On loan from Janiece Pope, Adelaide Australia
PRESENTED BY
THE BOB HAWKE PRIME MINISTERIAL CENTRE
AND
SOUTH AUSTRALIA MOBILISATION + EMPOWERMENT FOR SEXUAL HEALTH (SAMESH)
AS PART OF FEAST FESTIVAL
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future.
While the views presented by speakers within The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre public program are their own and are not necessarily those of either the University of South Australia, or The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, they are presented in the interest of open debate and discussion in the community and reflect our themes of: Strengthening our Democracy - Valuing our Diversity - Building our Future. The Hawke Centre reserves the right to change their program at any time without notice.
