Strip tease? Birthday suits only at Tunick’s latest global spectacle
On the weekend New York artist Spencer Tunick and 5500 of his Brisbane friends staged a nude photographic event on the Story Bridge.
It was the biggest event of the weekend but it wasn’t the state election – we’re talking about US artist and photographer Spencer Tunick’s mass nude photo shoot on the Story Bridge. It’s one of the two biggest art events of the year and both happened in the past week and both were born in Brisbane.
Lindy Lee’s massive $14 million commissioned sculpture Ouroboros, which was created at Urban Art Projects foundry in Brisbane, was unveiled at the National Gallery of Australia. Lee is from Brisbane. Then a few days later the world-renowned Spencer Tunick held his latest global happening on the Story Bridge.
About 5500 nude participants came together for RISING TIDE, a monumental live nude installation created by the New York artist. Part of Brisbane Powerhouse’s Melt Festival, which opened last Friday night ahead of the Sunday photo shoot, this event celebrates diversity, equity and inclusion. Through Tunick’s lens, thousands of bodies flowed together in a stunning display of unity and artistic expression. Thankfully, the weather was kind.
RISING TIDE marks the 30th anniversary of Tunick’s international career in documenting the nude figure in public spaces. With this installation, Tunick not only celebrates the beauty of the human form but also honours Brisbane’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community. Participants of all ages, body types and genders braved the spring morning for this once-in-a-lifetime event.
The installation created a seamless landscape of bodies that spanned the Story Bridge before moving to Brisbane Riverwalk. To facilitate this extraordinary artwork, the bridge was closed to traffic from 1am to 7am. Over several hours, Tunick captured the live landscape from multiple vantage points, immortalising this unique expression of unity and inclusivity.
Reflecting on the event, Tunick described it as “my most inclusive installation to date”: “5500 people is my largest Australian work so far and this one is very special because it celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community and allies. Photographing all the participants on the bridge was like looking down the mouth of a whale, filled with love and diversity.”
Among the thousands who participated, stories of personal empowerment emerged. One participant shared: “I wanted to be a part of something bigger. I’ve gone through illnesses, and you just get to a point where so many people have seen your bits over the years that you just go, why not? It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
Subscribe for updates
RISING TIDE is part of a broader body of work that began with the intimate TIDE installation in 2023, when Tunick first engaged with the local community to explore themes of diversity, beauty and vulnerability. TIDE served as a prelude, laying the groundwork for this larger, major public event. TIDE is now being showcased at Brisbane Powerhouse as a projected video exhibition, marking Tunick’s debut gallery exhibition in Australia and the first time this work will be available for public viewing.
RISING TIDE has been hailed as a transformative art event, demonstrating the power of art to foster community and inspire social change. The final artwork will remain a lasting tribute to Brisbane’s vibrant LGBTQIA+ community and a testament to the city’s ongoing commitment to equity and inclusion. Each participant will receive a print of the final artwork, captured by Tunick, as a gift of appreciation from Brisbane Powerhouse and Melt, which run until November 10.
The TIDE Exhibition and RISING TIDE installation by Spencer Tunick are feature events of Brisbane’s Melt Festival, the annual celebration of queer art, artists, allies and ideas.
melt.org.au