Ian ‘Tracey Lee’ Turner – Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel

Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of 'Ian Tracey Lee Turner', cotton / silk / synthetic textile, multimedia, made in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, c 1990 Rectangular quilt panel, portrait orientation with light coloured background. In the centre is a blue silk dress, decorated with a bead necklace and sequin brooch. Shiny green, gold, pink and blue leaf shapes decorate the space above the shoulders of the dress. An embroidered square in the lower right hand corner has 'Ian Tracey Lee Turner / 5.11.88' in red. The quilt was made in memory of Ian 'Tracey Lee' Turner in Sydney, Australia, c 1990. He was born Maxwell Ritchie in Sydney in 1933. He died on 8th April 1990. A benefit was held for him on 22 April 1990, which had a cast of very well known theatrical identities, including Danny la Rue (an admirer of Tracey Lee as a performer) and the cast of 42nd Street. An article about Tracey Lee appeared in the 'Daily Mirror' Monday April 9th 1990. The article says that Tracey Lee was one of Australia's best female impersonators or Drag Queens. He fronted for Les Girls in Sydney. His first performance was as a 10 year old when he dresses as Carmen Miranda for a show at the Manly Theatre. Tracey Lee appeared in theatre and cabaret in Australia and all over the world; and on television and film in Australia. Some material relating to his life and career is held in the State Library of New South Wales and the National Library. He also worked for AIDS charities.