Cherries on Fire: A little sweet, a whole lot of heat
Nestled in the West End of Newcastle City Centre sits the John Marley Centre; an intimate creative hub for the unique, the innovative, and the artistic. What was built as a Secondary Modern in 1938, became Newcastle college’s West End campus in 1994 until 2013, and later post-COVID lockdown found a new lease of life after being embraced by the creatives and cultural organisations who had been displaced by the Pilgrim’s Quarter development.
Sitting amongst a diverse range of talent and artistry is Cherries on Fire - a bold and boundary-pushing photographer whose thought-provoking images challenge conventional ideas of beauty, sexuality, and representation, whilst exploring the intersectionality of diversity and identity.
Cherries, also more formally known as Michael McGuire, uses his photography studio to demonstrate a commitment to both authenticity and unadulterated self-expression. Whilst Cherries’ portfolio is sleek, artistic, and sensual; delving deeper into the expressionism, reveals a portfolio dedicated to storytelling, provoking emotion, developing discourse, and affirming the right to live unapologetically. Each image embraces fluidity, self-love, and implores the viewer to question the paradigms of beauty that have become the set standard.
Cherries on Fire creates a nuanced perspective on what beauty means. The traditional representation of beauty in photography (and many other creative spaces), are shaped by heteronormative ideals - white, athletic build, perfect hair, perfect teeth, perfect skin - but this ideal of beauty often sidelines minority experiences. Cherries dismantles this outdated narrative by showcasing beauty in all its diverse forms. The imagery works to reject the notion that beauty, sensuality, and self-expression belong to only a select few. Instead, Cherries embrace all bodies, all sizes, all colours, all identities, all experiences - reinforcing the idea that the concepts of attractiveness, beauty, and desirability are just as diverse as the bodies in front of the camera.
Beyond aesthetics, Cherries’ work serves as a form of modern-day activism. By providing a safe space to marginalized voices, Cherries’ photography fosters conversations about self-worth, acceptance, and the importance of diverse representation in art. In a world that often pressures individuals to conform, this work acts as a reminder that authenticity is a powerful act of defiance against a society that enforces a particular status quo - an act that is becoming more important in a world that’s slowly tilting towards an intolerance of the alternative.
Cherries on Fire’s artistic approach is deeply rooted in a passion for storytelling and a commitment to not only challenging barriers and boundaries, but breaking them down. Their work inspires people to challenge their own perceptions of identity and beauty. Each photograph serves as an invitation to see beauty in places where it has often been overlooked and to celebrate the freedom of self-expression in all its vibrant glory.
Through their art, Cherries encourages audiences to embrace their individuality, question outdated norms, and recognize that beauty exists in infinite forms, beyond societal limitations. Ultimately, Cherries on Fire’s photography is more than just visually striking - it is a statement, a celebration, and a revolution in the way we perceive ourselves and each other.
