Helix Arts’ Re:Visits Disabled Artist in Residence Aaron Markwell has produced a new exhibition, performance and event to mark World AIDS Day on 1 December 2024. The centrepiece is an eye-catching installation in the windows of Helix Arts in the heart of North Shields Cultural Quarter which will be unveiled during the day. The window will include 2,348 red ribbons, representing the number of people living with HIV in the North East as of 2023. The ribbons, the international symbol for HIV awareness, were provided by the National AIDS Trust who we are pleased to be supported by, as a collaborative partner.

Aaron has co-produced the performance, artworks and events in response to exploring our archive and conversations with community members about health issues and stigma. Aaron focused on our seminal project, Living Proof, which took place between 1988 and 1992. The project included a series of artist residencies which addressed societal and media prejudices about HIV and AIDS, and supported people affected to creatively express their concerns, interests, hopes, and fears. Aaron has revisited this important project to create this new series of works.

As well as the exhibition, the event will also feature a live rehearsal and dance performance choreographed and led by Aaron, participatory workshops, a zine launch, and a series of talks.

We’re also pleased to be able to share that, thanks to North Tyneside Council Public Health Team’s support, home test kits for HIV will also be available to collect on the day. People can turn up and register on the day to take a test home.

National AIDS Trust advise: “with treatment, HIV is a manageable condition that should not affect your day-to-day life significantly. Getting tested early means that you can access this treatment if you have got HIV. Effective treatment reduces your viral load to undetectable levels within about six months, meaning that your immune system will remain healthy and you will not be able to pass on the virus.”

About this exciting new project, Cheryl Gavin, Director of Helix Arts, says:

“This is a pivotal part of Helix Arts’ 40-year journey. I want to connect different parts of my ambitions around increasing representation and lived experiences across our artistic workforce.

This gives us the chance to bring our archive to the forefront, to better understand the context we are working in now around the wider views on health stigma with communities in the North East.

I’m really happy to be working with Aaron and the National AIDS Trust to achieve this.”

Aaron Markwell explains how he has worked in collaboration with people in North Tyneside:

“We’ve been working on revisiting perceptions of HIV in 2024. As a queer artist with lived experience of HIV, it’s been a defining moment of my career to facilitate conversations and art that targets the stigma associated with HIV. I’m honoured to be supported by Helix Arts, National AIDS Trust and North Tyneside Council in creating a community-focused engagement and awareness-building campaign. I hope this campaign provides a message of hope to people living with HIV across the country, leading to conversations to reduce stigma and prejudice.”

Hannah Daws, Director of Fundraising at National AIDS Trust, adds:

“It is an honour to join with Helix Arts and Aaron on this brilliant project. As well as raising awareness of the issues that remain around HIV, there will be the opportunity to support the National AIDS Trust, as we fight for HIV rights, by making a donation. So come along and enjoy an informative, inspiring day, and stand with people living with or affected by HIV!”

Behnam Khazaeli, Head of Public Health Commissioning at North Tyneside Council and Co-Chair of the regional Testing and Prevention Sub Group says:

“We are proud to be working with Helix Arts to raise awareness and reduce the stigma surrounding HIV this World AIDS Day. Our collaboration aligns with the regional and national HIV Action Plan, supporting efforts to eliminate health inequalities and create inclusive, stigma-free communities. By engaging with the arts and the wider community, we are empowering individuals to share their stories, challenge misconceptions, and contribute to the goal of reducing HIV transmission to zero by 2030. Together, we are breaking down barriers, gaining valuable insight, and fostering a culture of understanding, acceptance, and health equity across the region.”