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Ribbon of Hope
Ribbon of Hope
The Ribbon created at General Synod May 2004, continues to grow. Full story...
What Is It?
Six hundred squares of silk-screened denim patches marked with individual prayers, concerns and memorials were sewn together to form one great ribbon to remember friends and families who have lost loved ones and those currently infected by HIV/AIDS.
The Ribbon of Hope project completed at General Synod, June 2004, is part of the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund HIV/AIDS Initiative - Partnership for Life for a generation without AIDS.
The 40-foot ribbon, "is a symbol that threads together our prayers, our remembrances, our hope for people living with HIV/AIDS and holds them deep in our heart," said Andrew Ignatieff, director of PWRDF during the HIV/AIDS plenary session at General Synod.
Photo essay that shows the Ribbon has been used.
Ribbon Schedule Current Year
See where the Ribbon has travelled in the last few years.
Thomas Roach at General Synod 2004
The Artist's Thoughts on the Ribbon
Thomas Roach, the Vancouver artist who made the ribbon, shares his thoughts on the key elements of the project.
We made it with our hands - people need to touch, feel, work, play, get messy.
It was constructed from recycled materials - donated jeans from the members of Christ Church Cathedral in Vancouver - for me this reflects a counter value to the disposability of western society. We cast away so much that is of value elsewhere. It also reflects the tradition of quilts, honouring the work of women.
The indigo (blue) dye of the fabric is a traditional color of healing and spirituality. There is a universal quality to indigo - a dye common in many places around the world. It is used here to be representative of the countries most affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. The jean material is a North American product, linking the northern and southern countries together in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
The work is unfinished - there will always be more work to be done and missing squares. This isn't an art quilt, it has rough edges so that it is always in progress and it has a sense of urgency to it.
The ribbon reflects universal patterns - the screened patterns are an attempt to represent the global scale of the pandemic, many squares make the whole.
The project is accessible - it was designed to be easy for all kinds of people to participate, from an entry level (no skill required) to those with some skill (stitching,printing etc).
It is great to see the ribbon traveling back and forth across the country. I am delighted that it has been a great way to engage people. -- Thomas Roach
Request the Ribbon
To Request the Ribbon at Your Event
By E-mail
Or Phone: 416-924-9192 ext. 316
