The AIDS Memorial in London
Interactive map of The AIDS Memorial in London | |
| Location | South Crescent in Fitzrovia |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 51°31′10″N 0°07′56″W / 51.5195°N 0.1321°W |
| Designer | Anya Gallaccio |
| Type | Sculpture |
| Completion date | 2027 (planned) |
| Dedicated to | People affected by HIV & AIDS in London and later the UK |
| Website | aidsmemory |
The AIDS Memorial in London is a memorial to people affected by HIV & AIDS in the United Kingdom. It will be designed by Anya Gallaccio and is due to be completed in late 2027.[1]
The memorial will be funded by various sources and overseen by AIDS Memory UK, a charitable incorporated organisation registered in 2023[2] with the purpose "To commemorate those who lost their lives in the HIV/AIDS epidemic, to give comfort to those who grieve their loss and highlight the impact of HIV/AIDS on the lives of the communities most affected".[3]
As of 2025, early funders include £130,000 from Greater London Authority[4] under Sadiq Khan,[5] £27,000 from Arts Council England[4] and private philanthropy including a significant amount from Douglas Atkin.
Their contributions have enabled AIDS Memory UK to run a competition to secure a new public artwork by Anya Gallaccio; to apply for planning permission from the London Borough of Camden and to R&D an associated cultural programme to add meaning to HIV over the last nearly 50 years and to give reasons for the delivery of The AIDS Memorial in London now.[1]
A public competition was run to design and create a new public artwork. From a shortlist including London artists Ryan Gander, Harold Offeh, Shahpour Pouyan and Diana Puntar,[6] the competition was won by former Turner Prize[6] nominee Anya Gallaccio.[1]
AIDS Memory UK was founded by playwright Ash Kotak and is led by a team of trustees working in collaboration with leading public arts experts including:
- Ash Kotak — founder, artistic director and cultural programme lead[7]
- Stephanie Allen — chair of trustees, AIDS Memory UK[4]
- Cynthia Grant — project manager, AIDS Memory UK
- Vivien Lovell and Jenni Lomax, from Modus Operandi — art consultants[7]
- Alex Arestis — public realm design
- Joel Cockhill — NRP. highways, transport
- Peter Laidler — structures and materials
- Natalie Davies — planning consultant
- Matt Railton from Four PR — public liaison[7]
AIDS Memory UK's Affected Communities Advisory board includes Jonathan Blake, Topher Campbell, Jide Macaulay and Simon Watney.[7]
Design
The memorial will feature a seating area designed as the hollowed out rings of a tree trunk.[1] It will be located in South Crescent, Store Street in Fitzrovia.[8] The site has been chosen for its proximity to the Middlesex Hospital, James Pringle House and The Bloomsbury Clinic.[9]
References
- ^ a b c d Parry, Josh (12 June 2025). "Design revealed for AIDS memorial near Diana ward". BBC News Online. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ "AIDS Memory UK - Governance". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ "AIDS Memory UK - Charity overview". Charity Commission for England and Wales. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b c "AIDS Memory UK - Trustees' Annual Report for the period 27/09/2023 to 31/10/2024". AIDS Memory UK. 28 August 2005. Retrieved 4 December 2025 – via Charity Commission for England and Wales.
- ^ Saddler, Jack (13 June 2024). "A 'Tree Of Life' Sculpture Will Arrive In London To Commemorate Anyone Affected By HIV/AIDS". Secret London. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b "Artists bid to make Aids memorial near Diana ward". BBC News Online. 12 March 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ a b c d "Team". AIDS Memory UK. Retrieved 4 December 2025.
- ^ Harris, Gareth (12 June 2024). "Anya Gallaccio wins commission for London's first ever HIV/Aids memorial". The Art Newspaper. Retrieved 12 September 2025.
- ^ "The AIDS Memorial in London". AIDS Memory UK.