Brighton remembrance exhibition for those lost to AIDS

Harry began work on the project while doing a Creative Writing MA at the university, which included a Communities of Practice module that saw him collaborate with the Terence Higgins Trust to archive personal stories from Brighton & Hove at the height of the UK AIDS epidemic.

The exhibition – a collaboration with Queer Heritage South - will tell its stories using a variety of sources, including Brighton quilt panels inspired by the international AIDS Memorial Quilt project – the largest work of community folk art in the world. The main venue is Dorset Gardens Methodist Church (open every day except Thursday), complemented by a window display at the Ledward Centre in Jubilee Street.

On Sunday 28 November from 12.30pm, there will be a community lunch at the Church organised by Lunch Positive, providing an open invitation to the community to spend supportive social time together over a meal as part of Brighton & Hove World AIDS Day activities. There will also be a candlelight vigil on 1 December at 6pm in New Steine Gardens.

Harry Hillery with an AIDS Memorial quilt

Harry moved to Brighton in 1988 and set up a cafe that quickly became a queer hang out and hub for information, welcoming visitors as diverse as Derek Jarman and Genesis P-Orridge. During that period he volunteered as a buddy at the Sussex AIDS Centre, and lost many friends due to AIDS. He is now writing a novel framed by the era, and continues to collaborate with the Terence Higgins Trust as a work mentor, as well as being involved in other LGBT projects and podcasts.

Speaking recently to the Westhill Whistler, Harry said: “I created the Brighton AIDS Memorial collection to record stories, capture memories and trap the light before it disappears.... My journey has unearthed so much already, but I know there’s so much more that needs to be curated, archived and made accessible for future generations.

“My aim has always been to create a safe home for remembrance, recognise the queer heroes, trailblazers and organisations, and bring together all the photos, writing and ephemera in one place.”