For Liz Johnson Artur, the great photographer. Her arresting visual narrative continues to have a lasting impact on London’s queer nightlife. From 2011 to 2021, she ran a popular queer club night known as PDA, held in a basement in Hackney. This monthly event became a sanctuary for the LGBTQ+ community, where attendees could express themselves freely in a space that fostered acceptance and joy.
The name PDA lacks uh… any cohesive definition on its own. This flexibility of use gives it the power to embody all of those meanings that resonate with the wonderfully dynamic community it represents. Johnson Artur, now 61 years old, captured the essence of these events with her camera, producing thousands of images that celebrate beauty, resilience, and the spirit of community.
Having been given her first camera by a family friend in the mid-1980s, Johnson Artur’s initial interest in photography has developed into a lifelong inquiry. She was born in Bulgaria to a Ghanaian father and a Russian mother. Following her childhood included in burgeoning, unsettled Berlin, she relocated to London in 1991. The experiences from her childhood—particularly train journeys with her mother—fueled her curiosity about strangers’ lives and informed her artistic vision.
During her time with PDA, Johnson Artur captured the revelers in both B&W and color. Her subjects always radiate an energy and confidence that contradicts the danger and hostility they’ll face beyond the vivacious club scene.
In a recent discussion of her work, Johnson Artur articulated the challenge of trying to photograph people in their most vulnerable states.
“It is always about looking at people. It’s about how they create spaces to be safe with each other.” – Liz Johnson Artur
Her photographs, rich and colorful, portray the electric energy of nightlife. They bring to life the heart-wrenching stories of despair and hope endured by countless souls in the LGBTQ+ community. She acknowledges the challenges individuals confront, stating,
“Not just on the street but also at home, where many people have big issues being who they are, in their own communities.” – Liz Johnson Artur
Johnson Artur’s artistic evolution has been a constant exploration of the meaning behind her images. As she looks back on her meticulous process, she remembers how a lack of resources helped create the discipline in her own practice.
“I never had the money to shoot like crazy. If I had five rolls, I had to stretch them to get the pictures I wanted. I couldn’t afford to mess up.” – Liz Johnson Artur
This belief has planted seeds of worth in each photo that she captures. Each photograph in her collection is precious, a captured moment that deserves to be saved.
The launch of “PDA by Liz Johnson Artur”, published by Bierke, presents this remarkable body of work. The book describes the nighttime creative chaos of an extraordinary decade in real time. It further digs into the friendships that only thrived behind those walls.
I don’t think of it as a book club book,” Johnson Artur declares. She emphasizes that her practice is more than a record of what has happened.
As Helen looks back on the friendships that were made through PDA nights, she recounts how these events were much more than just a fun time out.
“We’d all come back and have food at my place. It wasn’t just nightlife. We really enjoyed each other’s company.” – Liz Johnson Artur
Her love of the community is immediately evident, and with it, an almost familial relationship grows over the years.
“I guess I almost developed aunty feelings,” she reflects on her interactions with attendees.
Johnson Artur’s practice revolves around trust. Both in that of herself and her subjects. She believes that when individuals feel seen and valued, they are more open to sharing their stories and lives with her lens.
“When people see you and they trust you, they give. That’s the beauty I get.” – Liz Johnson Artur
In moments like these, she reminds us that we are all bound by the universal human experience. Joy and anguish holding hands.
“That’s how we exist as humans,” she states thoughtfully.
The temporal nature of these gatherings is apparent in her deeper reflections on the transient nature of life in general.
“We have a wonderful time, then suddenly it’s over.” – Liz Johnson Artur
Liz Johnson Artur’s atmospheric photographs depict a rhythmic, pulsating nightlife that reflects a complicated but cozy Black culture. She beautifully conveys the healing nature of resilience and sense of belonging that blossom from community ties. Her practice is an encouraging reminder that time is fleeting and marking and celebrating it all should matter.
“We’re only here for a minute,” she concludes, encapsulating the urgency and importance of cherishing each experience.