Look what the tide’s washed in. No, it’s not an empty chip packet or message in a bottle, but a brand-new exhibition featuring thousands of naked bodies. Famous for his mass nude art installations, New York-based photographer Spencer Tunick is set to unveil his first-ever Australian exhibition at Brisbane Powerhouse this September.
More than 20 years have passed since Aussies were first exposed to Tunick’s creativity, when 4,500 daring volunteers posed naked along St Kilda Road and the Yarra River as part of Melbourne Fringe Festival in 2001. He’s returned multiple times since, including to photograph 5,000 bare bodies at the Opera House during Sydney Mardi Gras in 2010, to shoot 100 beach bums in the Whitsundays for a campaign with The Iconic in 2019, and most recently, to capture 150 nudes along the Brisbane River shoreline in November 2023.
Tunick has collated snippets and stories from this stripped-back shoreline shoot in Brisbane last year to create his latest video exhibition, Tide. This captivating single-channel video will premiere as part of Melt Festival – Brisbane’s newest celebration of queer art and culture.
“Creating Tide was a very special experience, and I hope the exhibition will speak to diverse groups of people. It is a privilege to be making art that centres around the LGBTQIA+ community with all its beauty and vibrance,” Tunick said.
Tide will be a prelude to Rising Tide, a monumental second installation where Tunick aims to capture 2,500 nude bodies on Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge on Sunday, October 27. This ambitious project marks the first time Tunick has ever worked on installations with the same institution for an extended two-year project. Those keen to strip down for the shoot can express their interest here.
Entry to Tide at Brisbane Powerhouse is free from September 28 to November 10. While you’re there, fill up on wontons, skewers and gelato at Brisbane’s biggest food and arts event, Night Feast.