An American artist famous for his mass nude shoots asked Aussies to bring their biggest tube of sunscreen and show it all for a new piece on a Sydney beach.
World-renowned photographer Spencer Tunick, who caused a furore in Australia in 2010 when he had 5,200 LGBTQ+ community members pose naked as a ‘human base’ of the Sydney Opera House, will return to Sydney in November to raise awareness about skin cancer.
The exact location of the November 26 photo shoot is still a secret, but will be on one of Sydney’s many beaches, where brave volunteers will tell them exactly where to undress in a few weeks.
His project is in collaboration with Skin Check Champions for National Skin Cancer Action Week.
Mr Tunick said he hopes at least 2,000 Sydneysiders will be brave enough to show some skin for their piece, one to represent every life lost to skin cancer in Australia each year.
Famed American artist Spencer Tunick is planning another massive nude photoshoot in Sydney to encourage Aussies to get their skin checked (photo, one of Mr Tunick’s pieces in Sydney)
He told Daily Mail Australia that returning to Sydney was a ‘dream come true’ and hoped his upcoming piece would remind Aussies to get their skin checked.
“I recently noticed a spot on my wife’s back and I have a dark spot on my arm, so when Skin Check Champions called me about the project, I decided to make an appointment in Australia,” he said.
“I’m going all the way to Australia for a skin check.”
His project in November will be Mr Tunick’s fifth major piece made in Australia and his second in Sydney.
“I’ve had a great, long relationship with Australia and now I’ve been asked to save lives,” he said.
“I want this project to reflect Australia’s love-hate relationship with the sun.
Mr Tunick (above) said he hopes at least 2,000 Aussies will undress for his Sydney Protect, with each person representing one life lost to skin cancer in Australia each year
‘We want people of all shapes, sizes and colors to come out and participate.
“I really want to encourage skin cancer survivors and those who have lost a loved one come along. It will be a memorial to all the lives touched by skin cancer.”
Participating in the nude photo shoot does have one advantage, Mr Tunick added.
‘Everyone who participates will take home a free print of the final piece. I just hope it doesn’t end up hiding in the bathroom,” he said.
Mr Tunick said one of his most memorable moments in Australia was when a reporter covering the event decided to undress and join in while he was still in the air.
“I like getting regular people involved, so he definitely stood out,” he said.
But it doesn’t surpass his all-time hilarious moment when two people accidentally ended up in the middle of one of his sessions.
Mr Tunick has staged mass nude portraits around the world but said returning to Australia was a ‘dream come true’ (photo, piece from New York)
“We were in Vienna, Austria, and this grandfather and his grandson got confused and joined my line of people going to a stadium and thinking something else was going on,” he said.
“They were stunned when suddenly 1,000 people gathered naked around them. They got out of there pretty quickly!’
Mr Tunick said his upcoming project was close to his heart and gave a ‘whole new meaning’ to his work.
“I used to work as a lifeguard and when we were growing up in the 80s we weren’t as knowledgeable (about sun safety) as we are now,” he said.
“I haven’t had a skin check in 10 years, I’m the culprit if I don’t pay attention to my body’s needs.
‘This project takes on a whole new meaning because my work can save lives.’
Mr. Tunick’s new project is in partnership with Skin Check Champions for National Skin Cancer Action Week (photo, Strip Off for Skin Cancer campaign)
Mr Tunick’s nudes are famous worldwide, but he believes his upcoming project will bring a ‘new meaning’ to his work as it will help save lives
He encouraged as many Aussies as possible to sign up and undress.
‘Beach life is synonymous with Australian culture, but it is also the place where many skin cancers can develop. If you love our great outdoors, sign up. If you or someone you know has been affected by skin cancer, please come forward,” Mr Tunick said.
“We need to send a clear message that skin cancer is real and that it can be stopped if more people get their skin checked.”
To register, go to the Strip Off for Skin Cancer website by clicking here.