The UK Aids Memorial Quilt is on display in London’s Tate Modern for the first time in 30 years, but only for a few days.

In a bid to raise awareness of the ongoing battle against Aids, the quilt will be on show in the Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall from Thursday (12 June) until Monday (16 June). 

The quilt’s first panels were begun in about 1989. It now consists of 42 quilts and 23 individual panels that represent 384 people affected by HIV and Aids. 

Different parts of the quilt have been on display before, but its showing at the Tate will be the largest public display since it was seen at Hyde Park Corner in 1994. 

The quilt is one chapter of the largest community art project in the world. Activist Cleve Jones, who worked for gay politician Harvey Milk, is believed to be the brains behind the idea for the US quilt, which originated in 1985.

The new exhibition is taking place thanks to author Charlie Porter who told the BBC that he hoped the display would “give people a chance to grieve”. 

Tate Modern director Karin Hindsbo said: “The quilt is an incredible feat of creative human expression and I know our visitors will find it a deeply moving experience.”

Siobhán Lanigan, from the UK Aids Memorial Quilt Partnership, said the quilt was going on display in the hope of breaking down the stigma still associated with HIV and Aids. 

“With every viewing, the names and the lives of all the people commemorated, and all those who could not be named, are recognised, celebrated and brought out of the shadow of the stigma,” she said. 

“Everything we can do to break down that stigma is of great value. This is one big step in that direction that can be built upon in future displays.”

Meanwhile, health minister baroness Gillian Merron said: “This government is fully committed to ending new HIV transmissions in England by 2030. Our upcoming HIV Action Plan will focus not just on prevention and testing, but also on helping people live well with HIV, tackling inequalities and improving support for all affected.”

Last year, the US quilt was displayed at the White House for the first time in 36 years.

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