The Red Ribbon Project is a multidisciplinary initiative that intertwines music, visual art, and community participation to raise awareness about HIV and challenge stigma surrounding Queer identity. Funded by Tŷ Cerdd and Arts Council Wales, the project bridges personal reflection with public health, offering a space for education, empathy, and artistic expression.

Launched in the wake of the Welsh Government’s comprehensive HIV Action Plan, the project highlights the cultural, historical, and emotional narratives of the epidemic — from its early crisis to ongoing activism and progress. It provides a platform for innovative LGBTQ+ voices, aiming to foster social change through collaboration between artists, health professionals, and communities.

Music

Music is a central thread of the project, offering a sonic reflection on loss, identity, and resilience within the Queer community. The score draws on letters from individuals lost to AIDS, exploring themes of memory, tragedy, and hope.

An original commissioned work — composed under the direction of Gonçalo Fernandes — is performed by a trio of instrumentalists, with support from Tŷ Cerdd – Music Centre Wales. Additional pre-recorded, manipulated music will be integrated into the exhibition space, creating an immersive, layered soundscape.

Visual Art

The visual component, created by artist Darren Varnam, is inspired by historical photographs, Queer literature, and personal experience. The exhibition unfolds in five sections, guiding visitors through the timeline of HIV — from the onset of the crisis to its representation in the media and evolving public perception.

The artworks serve as a deeply personal narrative of the artist’s relationships, memory, and community, offering a bridge between individual experience and collective history.

Panel of speakers

The project features a live panel discussion in partnership with Fast Track Cymru and the NHS, exploring the past, present, and future of HIV.

Panelists include medical professionals, historians, and two individuals living with HIV — one gay man and one straight woman — whose stories challenge the myth that HIV is confined to the LGBTQ+ community. Their voices are vital in promoting representation, breaking stereotypes, and building understanding.

Outreach

At the heart of the Red Ribbon Project is a commitment to community engagement. In collaboration with Expressive Arts Cardiff (Welsh Government), the initiative offers workshops and discussions designed to empower young people and foster inclusive dialogue around Queer identity and sexual health.

As part of this outreach, a series of creative workshops in schools titled Using Music and Art to Explore HIV — Past, Present & Future are being promoted with the support of educational partners. These sessions aim to educate, inspire, and empower young people by combining HIV awareness with creative arts engagement. Led by artists and facilitators, the workshops use music, visual art, and storytelling to encourage critical thinking, empathy, and artistic response to the ongoing legacy of HIV.

By encouraging diverse viewpoints and participation, the Red Ribbon Project promotes understanding, resilience, and social change — nurturing a more inclusive and informed generation.

Meet the Team

  • Gonçalo Fernandes

    Project Director & Creative Producer

  • Ruan Martins

    Audiovisual Director, Co-Producer, Editor

  • Niamh J O'Donnell

    Lead Composer & Music Producer

  • Darren Varnam

    Lead Visual Artist

  • Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama

    Tim Rhys-Evans (Director of Music) | Studio Recordings & Student Engagement

  • Future Arts Collective Cymru

    Kate Woodward | Exhibition Venue and Workshop Facilitator

  • Alan Thomas-Williams

    Lead Curriculum Achievement Officer - Expressive Arts | Outreach Lead

  • Sarah Maslen-Roberts

    Fast Track Cymru Manager | Panelist & Outreach

  • Darren Cousins

    Sexual Health Consultant | Panelist

  • Adam Williams

    Multi-award winning Queer Researcher | Moderator

  • Africa Olle

    On Your Face Founder & Director | Management Support & Mentorship

  • Alex Jenkins

    Piano | Musician

  • Diogo Fernandes

    Saxophone | Musician

  • Rute Luz

    Digital Marketing

  • Patricia Santos

    Logo Designer

Partnerships

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