(CNN) --
Before film photography was invented, early portrait photographers discovered the exciting pleasure of exposing nude images on silver-plated copper plates.
Since then, the male gaze has largely determined how bodies are viewed in print media.
Many of the most iconic images of the body have been taken by men: think of Edward Weston's soft black-and-white photography of his muse, or Mario Sorrenti's erotic ad campaign with Kate Moss for Calvin Klein.
Meanwhile, less space has been given to pioneers like Imogen Cunningham or Ana Mendieta, who turned their lenses on themselves.
But a new exhibition at Fotografiska New York features 30 contemporary female artists offering new perspectives on the nude form as a symbol of beauty, self-expression, identity, eroticism, or politics—and not just the willowy female forms overrepresented in the media, but a range of cis, non-binary and trans figures of all skin tones and body types.
"Jackie & Megane" (2019) by Bettina Pittaluga Credit: Fotografiska NY
A sense of human connection is what links the myriad images, from French photographer Bettina Pittaluga's welcoming portraits that welcome the viewer into the homes of her subjects, to Israeli-American photographer Elinor Carruci's candid documentation. about her marriage as she and her husband grow older.
"Historically, the female perspective has been excluded from this narrative of what the nude body means and how it should be displayed," Amanda Hajjar, director of exhibitions at the museum, said in a telephone interview.
The show was previously presented at the museum's headquarters in Stockholm and was curated by Johan Vikner.
In "Nude" the body is not only an object of desire, but a bearer of strength, wisdom and intimacy;
a transition marker;
and a place of history and violence.
"Quiet" (2016) by Dana Scruggs Credit: Fotografiska NY
Australian photographers Prue Stent and Honey Long capture vivid and playful images of women draped in billowing cotton candy, harnessing the magic and vivacity of life.
Japanese photographer Momo Okabe takes intimate nude portraits of her friends and her transgender acquaintances using intense neon lighting to heighten emotions.
American photographer Dana Scruggs focuses on the beautiful subtleties of dark skin and the elegance of the nude male form, both less seen in fine art and editorial imagery.
And Swedish photographer Arvida Byström questions how objects and colors are coded as feminine through cheeky imagery and with social media in mind.
A 2016 photo of Arvida Byström appears in the "Nude" exhibition.
Credit: Fotografiska NY
There are also installations, videos and performances, the latest of which includes photographs by Nigerian artist Jenevieve Aken, who speaks out against violence and injustice towards women by taking on the spiritual form of "La bella Elvira", a 22-year-old Italian woman. who was murdered in a town near Pisa 75 years ago and whose case was never solved.
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In total, the women represent 20 nationalities and their ages range between 20 and 50 years.
"What really stands out is how global this show is. There's a real understanding that Western ideals of nudity aren't necessarily what's being experienced in the world," Hajjar said.
"We need more African, Asian (and) South American artists at the forefront of contemporary photography."
The "Nude" exhibition will be available until May 1 at Fotografiska New York.
