After visiting the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt on display at the Turbine Hall at the TATE in the summer of 2025, I found myself deeply moved by the creativity and craftsmanship evident at all levels, alongside the poignant individual stories embedded in each panel. Whether driven by curiosity or the absence of a permanent memorial commemorating those lost in the AIDS pandemic, I found myself repeatedly pondering who these individuals were and how life had treated them.

This reflection led me to research various quilts that particularly caught my eye—especially those that displayed only a forename. This choice, whether intentional by design or a reflection of the fear surrounding openly memorialising loved ones with their full names, added layers of mystery and anonymity that invited further contemplation on the personal and societal impact of th ...