Britons strip for sake of art

London, May 02 (ANI): Hundreds of people in the UK stripped off in the name of art.

The volunteers posed for American artist Spencer Tunick in a park in Salford, as he aimed to reflect the work of LS Lowry, reports The Telegraph.

Tunick has photographed similar pieces at the Sydney Opera House in Australia and the Institut Cultura in Barcelona, Spain, as well as at the Saatchi Gallery in London and the Baltic in Gateshead.

Over 4,000 people applied for 1,000 places for 'Everyday People', which is being staged in eight secret locations around Salford and Manchester.

The installation 'Everyday People' focuses on ordinary men and women, and was inspired by the Salford legend Lowry, known for his 'matchstick men' style.

The work was commissioned by The Lowry gallery in Salford to celebrate its tenth birthday and will be shown there from June 12.

Speaking about the event, Tunic said: "I think being naked creates a new meaning for the background. It creates a relationship between the concrete world and the real world."

Joyce Stevens, 56, a secretary from Liverpool was one of the volunteers.

"I wanted to push my boundaries and see how far I could go.

"When I was registering initially I didn't know what it was letting myself in for. Towards the end it was a bit chilly but I feel like I've accomplished something.

"Liberated is probably not the word but maybe that will kick-in when I'm back sitting on the bus and a bit warmer," she said.

Stephen Parkinson, 42, a shop assistant, from Wrexham, North Wales added: "It's been a good day and everybody has been buzzing about the event. I'm little bit cold but it is worth it.

"People say that it's a sexual experience but it's actually more tribal. We are bonding with a good group of people. We were all waiting outside the Lowry at 10.30 last night to make a piece of history.

"Spencer's done some good work and I hope that one day it will be there as a piece of art for everyone to enjoy.

"I didn't really know much about him apart from a few pictures I'd seen on the Internet but after doing a bit of research I decided I wanted to have a go at it when the opportunity came along.

"It was more out of intrigue than passion but everybody's got into the spirit of things and it's just been truly great." (ANI)