To mark World AIDS Day (1 December) and NAT’s 25th anniversary, NAT is launching a Red Ribbon Art Exhibition at London’s City Hall.  The free exhibition will run from 27 November – 7 December and will be open to the public.  

The exclusive art collection has been created for NAT by 30 high-profile supporters to mark the charitiy’s 25 years.  From celebrities – Annie Lennox, Gok Wan, and Dr Christian Jessen – to critically acclaimed artists –  Maggi Hambling, Rob Ryan and Robert Taylor – and fashion designers – Paul Smith, Matthew Williamson, Philip Treacy, Daniel Lismore and Giles Deacon – plus many more. 

Each piece of art features the iconic red ribbon – the international symbol of HIV awareness and support – as its central motif. 

Alongside the exhibition, each piece of art in this exciting and eclectic collection is also being auctioned online in aid of NAT.  The auction will close on the same day as the exhibition – 7 December – and bids can be placed online here.  Starting bids are as low as £50 on some pieces. 

Deborah Jack, Chief Executive of NAT (National AIDS Trust), comments: 

‘We are so excited to be sharing this inspiring art collection, created for NAT's 25th birthday, with the public and particularly London, the city most affected by HIV in the UK.   It’s also a great opportunity to mark World AIDS Day by raising awareness of HIV in a new and exciting way. 

The past few decades have seen immense progress and change and there is much to be proud of in terms of the UK’s response to HIV.  However, important challenges still remain – such as the number of people who remain undiagnosed, and continuing stigma and discrimination – so our HIV policy and campaigning work remains vital in ensuring people living with HIV are diagnosed early, and treated fairly and with respect. 

‘We hope as many people as possible will make it down to City Hall to view the collection and consider bidding on the online auction.  All proceeds will fund NAT’s HIV policy and campaigning work – shaping attitudes, challenging injustice, changing lives.' 

The Mayor of London Boris Johnson commented: 

'I am delighted that City Hall is hosting the Red Ribbon Art Exhibition for World AIDS Day. A lot of progress has been made in treatments and changing attitudes since the National AIDS Trust was set up 25 years ago, but more still needs to be done and the NAT's work in helping people affected by HIV remains as important as ever.'

- Ends -

Notes to the editor:

Quotes from Artists are available on request, as are photos of the artwork. 

The online auction site can be found here 

City Hall Exhibition 
Venue: City Hall, The Queen's Walk, London SE1 2AA 
Dates: 27 November - 7 December 2012 
Opening times: Monday - Thursday 8.30am - 6pm, Fridays 8.30am - 5.30pm.
Free to the public. 

For further information please contact: 

Ilana Winterstein
Communications Officer 
NAT 
020 7814 6724 
Ilana.Winterstein@nat.org.uk 

NAT 

NAT (National AIDS Trust) is the UK’s leading charity dedicated to transforming society’s response to HIV. We provide fresh thinking, expertise and practical resources. We champion the rights of people living with HIV and campaign for change. 
Shaping attitudes. Challenging injustice. Changing lives.

www.nat.org.uk 
www.lifewithHIV.org – a resource for HIV positive people 
www.HIVaware.org.uk – what everyone should know about HIV