AIDS Memorial unveilied

The Brighton & Hove AIDS Memorial has been officially unveiled in New Steine Gardens, by David Furnish, Trustee of the Elton John Aids Foundation, the UK’s largest funder of HIV AIDS programmes.

The Memorial has been two years in the planning and construction stage.

In September 2007, Romany Mark Bruce was selected by public ballot, to be commissioned to create a memorial to those who have died and those whose lives have been affected by this condition. This memorial is only one of a few throughout the world and as a public commission paid for by the residents of Brighton & Hove, it will become a landmark in the city.

Brighton based artist, Romany Mark Bruce said:

“The sculpture depicts two intertwined figures, soaring upwards. In silhouette they appear in the shape of the red ribbon, the universal symbol of solidarity of people living with and affected by the condition.

“Most of those affected by HIV and AIDS in Brighton & Hove, have been so as the result of the union of two men, but the disease is not confined to gay men. The two figures are not identical; one is male and the other androgynous, representing all those affected. The figures do not touch, but would appear to from certain angles, symbolising the union of two people the disease has affected, but whose lives may not have been connected in any other way.”

The four-metre high, bronze sculpture is the culmination of hard work by LGBT charities, businesses and individuals led by an all-party group of local politicians including: Simon Burgess, prospective Labour candidate for Kemp Town, Lib Dem councillor Paul Elgood, Brian Oxley, Conservative councillor and Green Convenor councillor Bill Randell.

Romany Mark Bruce was born in Ireland in 1960. He arrived in England in 1978 to study law. After living in Dallas, Texas, he settled in London, moving to Brighton in 1989. He had his first exhibition in the Brighton Festival in 1992.

His sculptures, range from statuesque indoor torsos to heroic outdoor landmarks. More recently, he has also made a name for himself with his powerful paintings, many of which, like his sculptures are inspired by the human form.

His success as an accomplished artist has led him to give up a career as a solicitor. Collectors worldwide, from countries including: USA, Australia, Hong Kong, India, the Middle East, and all over Europe, have acquired his paintings and sculptures.

Picture credit Trevor Love, with thanks.