David E Thompson – Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel

Rectangular cotton panel, landscape orientation with numerous appliqued letters spelling out 'David E.Thompson I Love You', borders, photographs, Christmas tie, panels and other objects including a small purse, all on yellow background. Written on the yellow background are the dates '14 October 1949, Age 40, 22 July 1990'. Panels include handwritten and painted notes. Some of the inscriptions on the panel are as follows: Top left corner - 'Hey David, tell me a story? Under the palm tree, Love Oliver.' Lower left corner - 'David was a Libertine:- A man whose sexual life was free of the restraints imposed by religion and conventional morality.' Right side - 'David and I lived together for fifteen years. (15) ----(unreadable sentence)---- .We were the first couple to be granted permanent residency on the basis of our relationship. Two queers together! David loved theatre that had guts. That's why he loved Mardi Gras and Sleaze Balls. He hated Fred Nile. David was Artistic Director for Drama at the Australia Council. 1984 - 1988. Unique. I love him and I miss him. Alex Harding. X X X .' Upper right side - 'David was born in N.Z. and was proud of it.' The inscription on the record cover is not readable from the photograph. The panel was made by Alex Harding, Sydney, Australia, 1991. An article titled 'David Thompson's Quilt by Alex Harding' about this panel is included in the book by Yardley, A., & Langley, K., 'Unfolding: The Story of the Australian and New Zealand AIDS Quilt Project', McPhee Gribble Publishers, Ringwood, Victoria, 1994, pp 74 - 75. Alex wanted the panel to show as much of David' as it could be possible. A photograph of their dog BJ is included. The article tells the story of Oliver, who was the baby son of Ainslie (a friend) who helped with the making of the Quilt Panel. Oliver died at birth just before David died, and their ashes are buried together beneath a palm tree.The large letters came from friends all over the world, including England and New Zealand. David's parents made the letters 'SON'. The Quilt panel went to the Auckland Art Gallery in 1991 and his parents travelled from the Bay of Plenty to see it. This article describes their life together, both professionally and personally. Alex Harding was David E. Thompson's lover. They lived together for fifteen years. Alex was a playwright and composer. The panel was made in memory of David Elliot Thompson (b.14.10.49 d. 22.7.90.) David was born in New Zealand. David was an arts teacher and arts administrator in London and worked as Cultural Affairs Officer at the New Zealand Embassy in Paris before moving to Australia. David was administrator of the Gay Sweatshop Theatre, London, which was the world's first professional gay theatre. David was administrator of the Australian Centre of the International Theatre Institute in 1988. A Memorial tribute for David E.Thompson features in the Sydney Star Observer between 1984-1993