Four Sea of Hull images, by internationally renowned artist Spencer Tunick, will go on display together for the first time at Art Fund Museum of the Year finalist – Ferens Art Gallery.
From Wednesday 9 May, the four purchased images that are now part of the gallerys permanent collection, will be shown in the gallerys centre court. The pieces of work will be accompanied by selected feedback from participants who took part in the unique installation; a new body of work commissioned by the Ferens during the citys public realm transformation.
The additional image of Tunicks aerial shot of the award-winning Scale Lane Bridge filled with striking blue nudes was chosen by many of the participants themselves via a public vote held during the SKIN exhibition, and online. The final fourth purchase was made thanks to generous donations from the public through crowd funding and with additional support from the Friends of the Ferens.
The gallery operated by Hull Culture and Leisure Ltd created a global story in the build-up to 2017 by delivering the Sea of Hull installation, which took place in the city centre on 9 July 2016, when 3,200 people posed, creating the UK’s largest ever nude installation. This created a huge platform for the reopening of the gallery in January 2017.
Kirsten Simister, Curator of Art at the Ferens Art Gallery, said: We have received so much positive interest and feedback from visitors and participants we wanted to display the four different artworks together for the first time as soon as possible. It also gives the Art Fund Museum of the Year judges an insight into the ambition of our work when they visit the gallery next week.
To be able to add a fourth photograph to our collection gives a much wider overview of Tunicks spectacular work and has added to a new chapter in the history of the city in a way that exceeded everyones expectations.
The huge spectacle of Spencer Tunicks Sea of Hull installation alongside the international reputation of the artist secured media exposure across the globe.
Entry is free and open: Monday Saturday 10am 5pm and Sunday 11am 4.30pm.