Woolworths shuts down mass nude photo shoot

Renowned photographer Spencer Tunick has slammed a decision by Woolworths to halt his plans for a new mass nudes photo shoot.

Artist Spencer Tunick photographed over 5,000 people from all walks of life just before dawn at Sydney Opera House on March 1, 2010. Source: AAP

An internationally acclaimed photographer has hit out at Woolworths' decision to refuse him permission for a mass-nudity photograph in one its car parks.

Spencer Tunick, who is based in New York, planned to photograph up to 500 naked people on the rooftop carpark of the supermarket's store in Prahran, in inner-city Melbourne.

Tunick, who last visited Australia in 2010 when he photographed nude people on the steps of the Sydney Opera House, said he was stunned by Woolworths' position. 

“This kind of stuff happens in Indonesia or Italy,” he told The Guardian, adding that he'd also been refused permission to stage his art in Mexico and South Korea.

Artist Spencer Tunick. Source: Press Association

But Woolworths defended its stance, telling SBS News it always prioritises local customers.

“We recently upgraded the rooftop car park at our Prahran store to make it more accessible and comfortable and its primary purpose is for customers to have convenient access to car parking close to our store," the supermarket giant said in a statement.

“The request for the photo was on the weekend, which is the busiest time of the week for shopping in our stores, and as such we must ensure customers have convenient access to our store when we are open."

Tunick said he chose the Woolworths carpark for its "otherworldly appeal" and "apocalyptic setting".

“I really hope they agree [to change their mind],” he tweeted on Thursday. “When I was up there at 9.30am, there were only four cars up there.”

Victoria's premier and opposition leader both said the decision rested entirely with Woolworths.

“Any rooftop in July in Melbourne’s going to be reasonably chilly, I would think, but I’m sure they’ll find an alternative venue,” Premier Daniel Andrews said on Thursday.

Chapel Street Precinct Association has launched a petition calling on Woolworths to reverse its decision. 

“Woolworths is saying no because of ‘potential lost revenue’,” CSPA executive chairman John Lotton said.

“This decision is ludicrous because Spencer’s installation will be finished by 9am and the evidence we have already provided proves this.