World AIDS Day 2024

There are 2,348 red ribbons in this window display. Representing the 2,348 people living with HIV in the North East of England.

​

​Created and Designed by Aaron Markwell and Corinne Dixon Wright. 

​

Featuring Artwork by Michael Jeffries and local communities.

The Giant World AIDS Day Ribbons were conceptualised by Aaron Markwell and designed and created by visual artist, Corinne Dixon Wright.

The solid ribbon represents the past, and how absolute HIV was, particularly in the 1980’s and 90’s where HIV care was not as advanced.

​

The density of the ribbon changes as we move into the present, turning more transparent. HIV now is much less visible, but still remains present for everyone affected by the virus.

This brand new collage artwork was created by Helix Arts participants, in a workshop with Michael Jeffries on 18th November 2024.

The participants had conversations with Aaron and Michael about the emerging HIV epidemic in the 1980’s through to their perceptions and ideas about HIV in 2024.

We discussed topics ranging from the government’s infamous tombstone adverts, the infected blood scandal and recent developments in treatment and medication and what it means to be undetectable.

This collage artwork was created by Michael Jeffries in 1991, in a series of workshops with photographer, Nicholas Lowe.

This workshop was part of the Helix Arts’ archive project, Living Proof, which was the inspiration for this project.

These baubles were created by participants of our Creative Community Conversations workshops at Helix Arts and Wallsend Library, as well as Helix Arts’ volunteers.

The baubles also look similar to HIV viruses attached to a white blood cell.

This resource was created to produce an accessible source of information about HIV to the community in North Tyneside. Here you can find out more about HIV, local HIV & STI testing and donate to National AIDS Trust to continue battling stigma around HIV.