The Cover Up community arts project has been led by the Birmingham’s AIDS and HIV Memorial designer Garry Jones. It is inspired by the Names project in the United States and involved artists working with individuals, organisations, groups, schools, colleges, universities & HIV groups to design and make 40 quilted panels, each representing a significant happening in the 40 year history of HIV and AIDS locally and globally.

The project became so popular they actually ending up making 52 quilts.

The panels formed an important part of the unveiling of The Ribbons: Birmingham’s AIDS and HIV Memorial in Hippodrome Square on World AIDS Day. This exhibition seeks to inspire future generations and ensure that the memories of those we have loved and lost to HIV and AIDS are never forgotten. It serves as a reminder that although the treatment of HIV and AIDS has come a long way there is still much to be done to educate, to end stigma and discrimination and to ensure that HIV and AIDS is not the “forgotten pandemic.”

Quilts are on display in B:Eats at Symphony Hall, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, The Exchange and The Library of Birmingham.

A book explaining the project, the panels and the groups is on sale at Symphony Hall Box Office.