Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.
Josh Parry, an LGBT & Identity Reporter, introduces a touching story about Frankie O’Reilly, who met his future partner Georgie Long at a young age in Northern Ireland. They moved to London in the 1980s, where Frankie balanced working as a traffic warden during the day and a drag queen by night. Their bond endured through the decades until both were diagnosed with HIV in 1985, a time when many of their friends were succumbing to the illness.
Unfortunately, Georgie lost his battle with an Aids-related illness in 1992, leaving Frankie to navigate a world without his closest companion. It wasn’t long after Georgie’s passing that Frankie became involved in the UK Aids Memorial Quilt project, a tribute to those who lost their lives to HIV/Aids in the UK. This patchwork creation of 42 quilts and 23 textile panels will be exhibited at the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall from 12 to 16 June, marking one of the largest public displays of the quilt since its inception in 1994.
Adding to the heartfelt narrative are Cathy John and Grace McElwee, who joined the project to honor their friend Michael Trask, who passed away from Aids in 1993. Cathy vividly describes the connection she shared with Michael and how creating the textile panel was a healing process for her. The quilt represents not only a memorial but also an outpouring of love and dedication from those who lovingly crafted each piece.
Charlie Porter, the author who initiated the exhibition, emphasizes the importance of displaying the quilt as a form of grieving and remembrance. The quilt features prominent figures like novelist Bruce Chatwin and actors Denham Elliot and Ian Charleston, highlighting the devastating impact of the disease. Alongside the quilt exhibit, a documentary capturing the poignant moments from the quilt’s display in 1994 will be shown, shedding light on the profound impact of HIV/Aids during a time when treatment options were limited
Read the full article from The BBC here: Read More
Auto Amazon Links: No products found. Blocked by captcha.