John Merry – Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel

Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of 'John Merry', cotton / synthetic metallic thread / plastic / photographic paper / ink, made by friends, South Australia, about 1991 Rectangular quilt panel, portrait orientation, on a pale blue background, backed with striped cotton material and padded with synthetic foam. At the bottom of the panel is a green 'basket'. There are five badges appliqued on the basket, 1) brown badge with the word Jackaroos across the top of a horned beast 2) the word Jackaroos over a map of Tasmania with a picture of a motorcycle and the word 1981 3) blue with words Big John, Splash 73 4) yellow with a red border and in green lettering SRNC Adelaide 5) Sydney NSW with an image of the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge and the New South Wales Coat of Arms. The basket has a handle attached. Coming out of the basket are three 'cactus spikes' decorated with plastic leaves, sequins and metallic braid in two shades of grey. To the right of the basket is a white pedestal shape with the words 'John Merry and 8.8.54 - 19.9.91' in ink. On top of the pedestal is a photograph, possibly of John Merry. In the top right hand corner there is a stylised sun in yellow, red and white.