For more than 30 years, photographer Liz Johnson Artur has captured the people around her, creating an extraordinary archive of intimate, vibrant images. Her latest book, PDA, celebrates London’s underground queer club scene from 2011 to 2021. PDA, a monthly club night in a Hackney basement, embraced freedom, creativity, and inclusivity. Its founders suggested the abbreviation could mean Public Display of Affection, Please Don’t Ask, or even Pretty Dick Available. The club became a haven where attendees could express themselves openly. Johnson Artur, now 61, became a regular despite never being a traditional clubber. She was drawn to the club’s inclusive energy and the way dancers took up space with confidence and flair. “There was a lot going on in front of and behind the DJ booth! PDA embraced everyone. I was 30 years older than everyone there, but it was beautiful watching them take their space,” she said. Her black-and-white and color photographs capture party-goers in sequins, heels, and striking outfits. Sweat glistens on their bodies as they dance to pounding basslines. The images pulse with energy, as if the pictures themselves move to the rhythm of the music. Cigarettes, smiles, and champagne add to the atmosphere of liberation and celebration. For Johnson Artur, music events provide a unique form of connection. “They can let go. It’s the most generous art form we have because it needs us. It lives from how we react to it,” she said. Her work highlights the way music and space allow people to express themselves freely and safely. Johnson Artur’s interest in human expression traces back to her childhood train journeys from Germany to the Soviet Union. Sharing tight spaces with strangers taught her about connection and trust. “I photograph people because each person has a story. I can’t tell it verbally, but I can make a point about human existence,” she explained. Born in Bulgaria to a Ghanaian father and Russian mother, Johnson Artur was raised in Germany. Her diverse upbringing shaped her approach to photography, focusing on identity, self-expression, and authenticity rather than labels or categories. After moving to London in 1991 and studying at the Royal College of Art, she immersed herself in the city’s music scene. The DIY spirit of clubs like PDA resonated with her. “People were making clubs in whatever room they could just for a few months. But it’s changing. You can’t do that now,” she said. One recurring figure in PDA photos is co-founder DJ Carrie Stacks. Images show Stacks at the decks, getting ready at home, or interacting with friends. Johnson Artur’s photographs reveal the close-knit community beyond the club, highlighting trust, collaboration, and shared joy. The book captures the full spectrum of a PDA night: arriving in lavish outfits, moments of abandon on the dancefloor, and quiet snapshots of intimacy and connection. Many subjects pose confidently, often wearing little more than sequins and heels, radiating joy and resilience. Johnson Artur collaborated closely with PDA organizers, balancing her artistic standards with the community’s trust. She describes feeling like an “aunty” figure, hosting friends and sharing meals, reinforcing the bonds formed in this underground space. A typical PDA night lasted until 6 a.m. The final image in the book shows a reveller walking home in the early morning, a bright figure against the dark street. It symbolizes both the fleeting nature of these nights and the timeless joy captured in the photographs. “We have a wonderful time, then suddenly it’s over,” Johnson Artur said. “We’re only here for a minute. Let’s enjoy it.” PDA stands as a testament to freedom, self-expression, and the enduring spirit of London’s queer underground scene. Through Johnson Artur’s lens, the club lives on as a celebration of community, desire, and human connection.