Role in Normalizing Nudity in Mainstream Media
By presenting nudity in an artistic, non-exploitative manner, Cheri contributed to the gradual mainstream acceptance of the nude form in advertising, fashion, and entertainment during the 80s and 90s. Her influence helped erode some cultural taboos surrounding the human body.
The 1960s was a decade marked by sexual liberation and counterculture movements that challenged traditional gender roles and societal norms. During this time, French model Cheri Boucher (later known simply as "Cheri") appeared in Playboy magazine and became famous for her natural beauty and free spirit. In 1974, she moved to New York City where she began working as a photographer, creating images of herself and others in various states of undress. She soon gained recognition for her artistic approach to nudity, which included using light and shadow to create sensuous, painterly compositions. This work had a significant impact on the representation of the female body in popular culture. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Cheri's photography was featured in Vogue, Glamour, and other major magazines, helping to break down taboos around nudity in mainstream media. Throughout her career, Cheri advocated for the normalization of nudity in art and society. In a 2015 interview with The Guardian, she explained: "I wanted to show people that there is nothing wrong with the human body."
While Cheri's work was not always well received—some critics accused her of exploitation or misogyny—her influence cannot be denied. By presenting nudity in an artistic, non-exploitative manner, she contributed to the gradual mainstream acceptance of the nude form in advertising, fashion, and entertainment during the 80s and 90s. Her work helped erode some cultural taboos surrounding the human body, paving the way for future artists who explored issues of gender, sexuality, and identity through their own unique lens.
Cheri's legacy can be seen in the work of contemporary artists like Spencer Tunick, whose large-scale photographs feature hundreds of nude participants posed in public spaces. Tunick has said that his work is inspired by Cheri, who he describes as "a pioneer" in using nudity as a tool for social change. Other artists have also followed in her footsteps, creating provocative yet thoughtful works that challenge societal norms. Today, the human body is more visible than ever before, thanks in part to the groundbreaking efforts of Cheri Boucher.