Dare to bare all for art, hundreds urged

The Ferens Art Gallery has commissioned New York artist Spencer Tunick to create “Sea of Hull”, which will involve painting hundreds of people “to create the idea of a sea of humanity flooding the urban landscape.”

The New York artist has been documenting live nudes in public places since 1992.

In 2011 he photographed a large group of naked volunteers at the Dead Sea - including covered in mud.

A year later another group helped interpret scenes from the Richard Wagner opera Der Ring des Nibelungen painted in red or gold outside the Bavarian State Opera House.

This time people will be painted in multiple colours reflecting the sea to “create abstract shapes separating the body from the pavement in dramatic ways.”

The artist said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in art who wants to pose nude but is modest. The body paint will help many participants to overcome their inhibitions – after all, they will still be covered in a way.”

Participants will be photographed on July 9 - when weather conditions should be a bit kinder than today - and the work will be unveiled next year.

Curator at Ferens Art Gallery Kirsten Simister said: “This is more than a commission. It’s an opportunity to involve people directly in an amazing live, performance that will temporarily transform the city.

“With hundreds upon hundreds of people coming together to be photographed, Sea of Hull anticipates the exciting things to come at the Ferens next year.”

The artist will create a second installation in North Lincolnshire on Sunday July 10, using a select group of participants from the installation in Hull.

All participants will receive a limited edition photograph in exchange for taking part.

Anyone can take part aged 18 or over and regardless of age, sex or body type.

They need to register by Sunday May 15 at www.hull2017.co.uk/seaofhull