The Linden Archives, a queer look at England in the 1990s: artist talk with Stuart Linden Rhodes

Stuart Linden Rhodes established the Instagram account @Linden_Archives during the Covid lockdowns of 2020-21, scanning and digitising hundreds of 35mm negatives of reportage photographs shot for All Points North and Gay Times magazines during the 1990s. These images had lain unseen for some thirty years, titled Linden Archives the Instagram account has since gained a substantial following.

The first edition of the photo book Out & About with Linden: A Queer Archive of the North, was a selected study of the pub and club scene from Birmingham to Newcastle, with contributions from Boy George, Julian Clary, Mel B, Paul O’Grady, Su Pollard and more. Initially published by filmmaker Joe Ingham in 2022, a second edition was published in 2023 by PARIAH PRESS. Followed in 2024 by a second book titled simply Linden Archives this book covers the whole of England and focussed on Pride events, Mr Gay UK as well as the bars and clubs from London and Brighton and across the North of the country.

This artist talk explores the brash, thriving and diverse gay scene and queer club culture in the England in the 1990s, a period also marked by the HIV/AIDS pandemic, homophobia, and discriminatory laws.

Tickets cost £12 and include access to the exclusive talk and entry into The Holly Johnson Story.