University of Brighton to exhibit UK AIDS Memorial Quilt in powerful tribute to lives lost

The University of Brighton is set to host a major exhibition of the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt, bringing a deeply personal and poignant reminder of lives lost during the HIV/AIDS crisis back into public view. The display, which will run from 13-17 March, forms part of a collaboration between the University’s Centre for Arts and Wellbeing and Brighton alumnus Harry Hillery. 

The exhibition will feature eight original quilt panels, each hand‑stitched by loved ones of those who died, creating a vivid and intimate record of a period that profoundly shaped communities across Brighton and the wider UK. Names, favourite colours, handwritten notes, photographs and personal symbols transform the fabric into lasting testimony, with each panel telling a distinct story of love, grief and remembrance. 

Hillery, founder of Brighton AIDS Memorial (TBAM), developed the project while completing a Master’s in Creative Writing at the University. He said his research had revealed a shortage of creative work addressing HIV/AIDS in Brighton & Hove, prompting him to champion new forms of remembrance. Hosting the quilt at the University, he explained, “feels like a continuation of my studies and, at the same time, like closing a circle.” He emphasised that the quilt serves not only as a memorial but as an important tool in challenging stigma and reconnecting people of all ages with the human impact of the crisis.

The exhibition will also support a broader programme of talks, teaching sessions and public events aimed at deepening understanding of the social, political and emotional legacy of HIV/AIDS. Organisers note that with around 107,000 people currently receiving HIV‑related care in the UK, the issues highlighted remain pressing. 

Dr Jess Moriarty, Course Leader for MA Creative Writing and a key collaborator on the project, praised Hillery’s commitment, saying it had been “inspiring” to engage with the stories behind the quilt’s creation. She added that the University was honoured to help bring this important memorial to Brighton, offering a space for reflection, education and community connection. 

The exhibition marks a significant moment for the city, reaffirming Brighton’s long‑standing commitment to honouring those lost and advocating for continued awareness, compassion and progress in the ongoing response to HIV/AIDS.