More than 2,500 people stripped off on Bondi Beach on Saturday to be photographed nude by internationally renowned artist and photographer, Spencer Tunick.
The concept was conceived with Australian charity and anti-melanoma movement Skin Check Champions, and supported by sunscreen brand La Roche-Posay, to coincide with National Skin Cancer Action Week, which was held from November 21-27.
The 2,500 participants represented the number of Australians killed by skin cancer every year and were captured by Tunick in their most natural state to raise awareness of skin cancer and the importance of regular skin checks.
Best known for his large-scale installations using people posing in nothing but their bare skin, the collaboration with Skin Check Champions resonates strongly with Tunick, whose family has been directly affected by skin cancer.
“Skin unites us and protects us. It’s an honour to be a part of an art mission to raise awareness of the importance of skin checks,” Tunick said.
Speaking exclusively with Retail Beauty, Skin Check Champions’ Founding Ambassador and CEO, Scott Maggs (formerly Jimmy Niggles Esq), said the activation was so successful because of the cohesive brand alignment.
“Spencer Tunick is always a brilliant draw card,” he said. “His installations attract thousands of participants every time he announces a visit so that was a real win. Combine that with the iconic Bondi Beach, one of the world’s finest and the stage was well and truly set. But the big thing that pulled it all together was the people, our partners and our team. They really dug in and made this moment memorable. So many details had to be delivered and everyone really stepped up and made it all so magical. Plus… (remarkably) it was the first time Spencer had focussed his work on skin cancer. Helping us elevate the issue globally, reaching more people than any other campaign before it.”
Australia has some of the highest skin cancer rates globally – according to data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, there were an estimated 17,756 new cases of melanoma of the skin diagnosed in 2022, which made up for an estimated 11 percent of all newly diagnosed cancer cases.
With an estimated 90 per cent of skin cancer being attributed to the sun , this signals that considerably more work is needed to educate Australians about the risks of melanoma.
La Roche-Posay provided samples of its Anthelios SPF50+ sunscreen to all event participants on the day.
Images from the day below:
