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Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of 'Ken Meeks RN', cotton / felt / synthetic textile, made in Los Angeles, California, United States of America, 1992. Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation, on mid blue backgroun…
Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of 'Ken Meeks RN', cotton / felt / synthetic textile, made in Los Angeles, California, United States of America, 1992. Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation, on mid blue background. In the centre of the quilt, in large white felt machine appliqued letters, is written 'KEN MEEKS RN'. Above that are two small flags, on the left the New Zealand and on the right the Australian. This Quilt is in memory of Ken Meeks (b. unknown d. unknown); who was a registered nurse.. A letter on file From Terry Everitt Chapter Chair of the Los Angeles Chapter of The Names Project, dated October 7th 1992 gives the follwoing information about Ken Meeks. "I first saw Ken when he arrived to begin his nursing career in Auckland, N.Z. I was teaching and somehow we became friends - not so hard, for ken was friends with everyone. He was my best friend, full of laughter and an abundant love of life; very much a party person yet very caring and concerned about people. I had the great pleasure of knowing Ken both professionally (as bouth our nursing careers progressed) and socially and was it ever social!!!!. I moved to Sydney to live and some time later Ken arrived and immediately fell in love with Oxford Street (as it was then) where he truly danced the nights away. So many memories - so much laughter - so many stories. Ken met the love of his life - and settled downin Paddington. This I know was the happiest time of his life, they were so much love. I saw Ken before I left for America - he was very sick, very frail lying in bed with his partner beside him holding his hand and I knew it would be the last time that I would see him. Ken Meeks was the first friend I lost to AIDS, unfortunately there have been many more. I have gone on to become totally involved with the AIDS Memorial Quitl in America and I am so glad that I can present this panel for Ken so that it may join the Australian Quilt where it belongs, for it is he who keeps me doing what I do for the Quilt. Ken Meeks - as you know - I LOVE YOU..Terry Everitt.’
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Related objects
- Barry Kevin McCluskey - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel
- In memory of 'Unnamed person' - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel
- John Luke - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel
- John Potter - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel
- Mark Warren Whatman - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel
- Stephen Edwin Pitt - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel
- Trevor Engel - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel
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Visit the page In memory of 'Unnamed person' - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of an unnamed person, made of cotton / synthetic textile / mixed media, maker unknown, probably Australia, about 1992 Rectangular quilt panel, portrait orientation. Light blue background bordered with lace decorated with posies of synthetic red roses. A large adult sized white and purple kimono (or yukata), with black and grey tie takes up 3/4 of the panel. There is a white lace circle with roses at the neck of the kimono. The kimono is crossed over right to left, which is apparently the Japanese custom for funerals. On the right hand side of the kimono is a Mickey Mouse toy. In the top of the panel are two holy cards, one the Virgin Mary and the other Jesus. The following is written in dark pen, 'This quilt is dedicated to a special son, brother and uncle / who passed away 10 Nov 1991 / This quilt be my word. / So that I may speak. / Not to one but all, / Those I know and know not. / For they are the ones, / This quilt be my word to / All mankind, around the world, / Who think or like my quilt / May have pleasure in reading, In reading all my rights, / My love and all, / To them I do write. -
Visit the page Stephen Edwin Pitt - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian Memorial AIDS Quilt, in memory of 'Stephen Edwin Pitt', cotton / wool / metal /ink /plastic /synthetic textile, various makers, Sydney, New South Wales Australia, 1992 A rectangular panel, portrait orientation. The background fabric is dark mint green. At the top of the panel is a rectangular patch of Aida cloth with cross stitch done by hand. 'Stephen Edwin Pitt / 23rd August 1962 - 5th October 1991 / aged 29 years / His family knows he is with God. He will remain / in their hearts forever.' A single red rose is below. In the lower right hand corner of the patch 'Donna XXX' is written in black ink. Under this patch to the left is a small bear with a red ribbon around its neck; to the right side is a circular cross stitch patch with two bears in a basket decorated with balloons with 'Love bears all things / love Mum'. Five printed fabric coloured photographs of a boy and man, in black padded photograph frames with gold braid edging, are in an arc across the panel. Four large LP records, each made of black padded cotton fabric with labels made of beige aida cloth are in the centre of the panel. Record 1: What'll I do. xxx. / LP 33 1/3 / Linda Ronstadt; Record 2: 'I / JUST CALLED / TO SAY I LOVE / YOU' / LP 33 1/3 / Stevie Wonder. There is a telephone embroidered in crossstitch on this record.; Record 3: Abba / LP 33 1/3 / 'Fernando' / side one 1; Record 4: 'You & Me / against the World / LP 33 1/3 / Helen Reddy. On the left side is a printed coloured photograph of his cattle dog 'Bluey' with a metal brooch with wings attached. Below that there is a single yellow fabric rose. On the right side a black school blazer pocket attached by hand is embroidered with 'Ashfield High / Prefect / Citizen of the Year'. In the centre at the bottom of the panel is a machine appliqued printed scroll with gold braid edging with the music score of the song 'Unforgettable'. The quilt was made by Stephen's mother and a friend of Stephen's, Sydney, New South Wales Australia, 1992. It was completed on the first anniversary of his death in 1992. The colours chosen were his favourite colours of green and black as stated in a handwritten letter from his mother and father received with the quilt panel. Further comments in the letter included: 'yellow is the sunshine he brought to our lives'; 'His lifestyle was simple, he loved his family, his old "teddy", his Cattle Dog "Bluey" and his friends. Music played a big part in his life, he collected records with zest. He loved the sun and water, ran in the City to Surf when he was in better health'. 'We hope our quilt shows there is no prejudice or shame, that we support him in death as we did in life.', and 'We want him to be remembered forever.' In a card received with the quilt panel, his friend said: '.... I am a friend of Stephen's. His mother, Bette, and I have not long completed a quilt in Stephen's memory, and although its very hard to explain the sort of person he was, I'd like to try. Stephen was a workmate who I had know for about 2/1-2 years. Such a short time, but he left such a lasting impression on me. He was very gentle and sweet, extremely funny, charming, a little devilish and all in all, a good and positive person. It really was pleasurable to spend my day with him. Not one person ever said anything negative about Stephen, that I knew - he was a genuinely well-liked. Unfortunately Stephen, like many others, I'm sure, could not completely trust his workmates with the knowledge that he had Aids (sic). It saddens me to think how lonely the disease can be. He did have the support of his family. He did confide in one friend from work and that must have been a small relief for him. Although I knew of his illness, we could never talk openly, but I do believe he knew that I knew, and I hope he just understood my silent support. He never complained and worked in a responsible job until approx. 2 weeks before he died - his endurance, inner strength and positivity will never cease to amaze me. He has touched my heart and my life in a way that I don't think I could explain and the loss of him is enormous. Doing his quilt was a great honor, albeit very distressing at times, but no-one would ever be able to see the love that went into it by his lovely Mum, but we know. And I hope Stephen does too. I feel very lucky to have known Stephen, and I like to believe his parting gift to me was to let me enjoy his special family. I don't know if I meant that much to him - but it gives me solace to believe that. Although it hurts now that he's gone, I really do feel different having known him and for all those who didn't know him, - well, - they dipped out on knowing a very special and delightful young man. Nothing - no quilt, no note, no sentimental words - nothing can truly do him justice, but I guess its all we have. He has a special place in my heart and I will never forget him.' (The preceding transcription was typed verbatim with spelling errors, etc, intact) -
Visit the page Trevor Engel - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian Memorial AIDS Quilt, in memory of 'Trevor Engel', cotton / wool / metal, made in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1992 Rectangular, landscape orientation. Background of crushed red velvet. Two multi coloured hand knitted garments are sewn to the right and left of the quilt panel. The blue garment on the right has a stitch holder at the neck edge. On rectangular panels in the centre of the panel the name 'TREVOR / ENGEL / 1955-91' is knitted in multi colours. Along the lower edge of the panel is a long knitted strip in three colours: green, yellow and mauve. The words LOVER / BROTHER / FRIEND are knitted in these strips with black wool. A small handmade clay fired button is stitched to the background on the left. -
Visit the page Mark Warren Whatman - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian Memorial AIDS Quilt, in memory of 'Mark Warren Whatman' synthetic textile / cotton / ink / paint / metal, various makers, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1992 Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation. The background is divided vertically into four colours; yellow, red, blue and green. From the left on the yellow background, is a large coloured print of a tiger's head which has been machine appliqued to the background. Below in a black pot is a weeping white rose. Across the red and blue backgrounds 'MARK WARREN / WHATMAN' is painted in purple paint on a silver painted strip and sewn to the background. Three coloured printed photographs are attached below it. A rainbow ribbon is attached by a safety pin. The dates '1962-1992' are painted in purple paint on a silver painted strip and sewn to the background. Under this are three poems, two colour printed and sewn and the other is handwritten. Several flannel flowers are individually cut and glued across the poems and message on the right . On the green background, in the top left corner is a red suede square with the Christmas Carol 'It Came Upon a Midnight Clear' printed in gold paint and a sprig of holly with gold ribbon attached. From top to bottom of this panel are sewn three coloured printed photographs. A black 'Scotty Dog' printed cutout and a small teddy bear with a red ribbon are attached. Anni: I cannot read the 'marks' from the photo in Multimedia so cannot confirm. -
Visit the page Barry Kevin McCluskey - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of ' Barry Kevin McCluskey', cotton / felt / paint, maker unknown, Australia, about 1992 Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation. The quilt panel is divided in two diagonally by a thin black winding strip of cotton which is representative of a road. It runs from the top left to the lower right corner. The upper half has a tan cotton background with ' BARRY KEVIN / McCLUSKEY' in large machine appliqued red felt letters. Next to this is a round yellow felt sun machine stitched in the upper right corner. Two overlapping green felt triangles, representing mountains, and a felt tree are in the lower right corner. The left side and lower portion of the panel is made of dark blue cotton and has three machine stitched boxes. These each have inscriptions, hand written in yellow paint: 'BARRY: Loving Son / Family Member / Loyal Friend / Caring Nurse; Brown for the earth Barry held so dear. Blue for the ocean where he choose [sic] to be. Black for the Great Ocean Road on which he travelled many times. The Mountains and the trees often explored. The sun under which he lived life / to the full. And now over all - His Spirit flies free; A Lover of: Nature, Literature, Knowledge, Music, Languages, Cultures'. Written on the black road: '8th July, 1955 Warnambool, Melbourne 23rd February, 1992...Moonlight Head'. -
Visit the page John Luke - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt, in memory of 'John Luke', cotton / mixed media, made in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, about 1992 A rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation. The background fabric is a light blue cotton. In the lower left hand corner five large clouds are padded and machine stitched. On the black cloud are several names: Leanne, John, Tineke, Chris, Diane, Daniel, Noel XX, Jane XX, John. On the navy blue cloud are the following names: Mickey, RUSSELL, Mark, Sally, Rosie, Julie, John Mc. Anni: I cannot see these names in the photo to confirm dk. A rainbow extends from the top cloud to the lower right hand corner. A large teddy bear with a red tartan ribbon is sewn to the rainbow. A small calculator made of felt is stitched next to the bear. In the top left corner the date ' 22.12.56' is made of green felt and glued to the background fabric. In the top right corner the date '30.10.91' is also made of green felt and glued. Between the clouds and the rainbow the name 'JOHN / LUKE' is made from green felt and glued -
Visit the page John Potter - Australian AIDS Memorial Quilt panel Quilt panel, part of Australian Memorial AIDS Quilt, in memory of 'John Potter', cotton / mixed media, made in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 1992 Rectangular quilt panel, landscape orientation with a royal blue cotton background. A black fabric 'bomber jacket' with a tan cotton T-shirt inside is attached to the centre of the panel. A badge with ' Remember their names' is attached to the jacket. On the left pocket is a card, depicting the Virgin Mary, and two rainbow ribbons. Across the top of the panel are nine patches of various fabrics. In the first patch is a smaller appliqued patch with a drawing and some words which are impossible to see clearly from the photograph. The top right hand corner has a red patch with a leather sewing machine appliqued on it. A red cotton reel is on the machine and the thread runs back to the left of the panel and is held by a small bear who holds a flying kite. In the lower left corner is an appliqued mountain landscape in mauve fabrics with several small glass beads sewn above it, depicting the Southern Cross. A clump of fabric daffodils is appliqued under the jacket. A fur tail is attached in the right lower corner. Above the tail 'JOHN / POTTER / 30.1.1992.' is appliqued in gold fabric and attached with red hand stitched crosses. Anni This description does not seem to be quite accurate but I can't correct it without seeing the actual quilt. dk