Mailbox launches 'Cover Up ' exhibition
A new exhibition has been launched by Mailbox to tackle the stigma around HIV and AIDS.
Titles as 'Cover Up ' the exhibition is a community arts project led by Birmingham AIDS and HIV Memorial designer, Garry Jones.
Misinformation and moral judgements have led to a clouded smoke over conversations surrounding the virus, leaving many unaware of its rich history.
Having lived with his own experience of the AIDS epidemic, Garry was inspired to start the project after watching the hit Channel 4 period drama 'It 's a Sin ' which details the story of individuals who grew up in the shadow of the AIDS virus.
Through a remarkable visual display, which will be held on level 3 of Mailbox, the “Cover Up ” project celebrates, remembers, and educates people about the historic moments and memories created in the 40 years since the first HIV diagnosis in the UK. The exhibition provides a dedicatory space for people to remember those who lost their lives to HIV and to reflect.
From 27 March, 30 quilts will be displayed to Mailbox 's visitors, each physically capturing the individual and unique stories of those impacted by the virus. Each quilt panel provides a 'face ' to a mass of unknown people who were often represented as mere statistics.
Inspired by the historic AIDS memorial quilt made by hundreds of thousands of volunteers in the 1980s, every quilt reminds us of the unforgettable presence of HIV in the UK - a presence that well and truly remains.
The panels exhibited were previously used in the World AIDS Day procession ahead of Birmingham 's new AIDS and HIV Memorial, and so will bring a piece of Birmingham 's own recent history to Mailbox.
Andy Jackson, Mailbox estate director, said, “We are so proud to host the 'Cover Up ' exhibition at Mailbox. HIV has impacted many in our community, and we feel very grateful that we can provide a space for people to remember, celebrate and reflect upon the individual stories of those who have been affected.
“We really encourage everyone to come and take a look at the 30 quilts we have on display, each telling an important story, showing support to those in our community and beyond. ”
The 'Cover Up ' exhibition will be displayed from 27 March on level 3 of Mailbox for a month.