In the ultimate show of ‘action’ during National Skin Cancer Action Week (November 21-27 2022), over 2,500 people will strip off and be photographed nude by internationally renowned artist and photographer, Spencer Tunick, in a concept conceived with Australian charity and anti-melanoma movement Skin Check Champions, and supported by sunscreen brand La Roche-Posay.
Taken to an undisclosed Sydney location on Saturday November 26, the 2,500 participants represent the number of Australians killed by skin cancer every year, and will be captured by Tunick in their most natural state to raise awareness of skin cancer and the importance of regular skin checks.
In an effort to ultimately make melanoma history and increase the conversation about Australia’s most prevalent cancer, Skin Check Champions enlisted Tunick to use his art and global profile to support this life-saving campaign.
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, making the collaboration all the more poignant.
The one-of-a-kind installation will mark the first time Tunick has collaborated with a skin cancer charity, making a bold statement of commitment to championing early detection, year-round.
Australia has some of the highest skin cancer rates globally, and the importance of spreading the message about regular skin checks has never been more important.
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% of all newly diagnosed cancer cases. With an estimated 90% of skin cancer being attributed to the sun, this signals that considerably more work is needed to educate Australians about the risks of melanoma.
Expert in sun protection and long-standing supporter of Skin Check Champions, La Roche-Posay, will be presenting partner for this special initiative. La Roche-Posay is committed to providing optimal sun safety education and will provide samples of its iconic Anthelios SPF50+ sunscreen to all event participants and spectators.
Skin Check Champions’ founding ambassador and CEO, Scott Maggs (formerly Jimmy Niggles Esq), said: “With the support of La Roche-Posay, we will continue to champion early detection, what to look out for and protect each other from the sun, not just in summer, but all year round. This is our moment and call-to-arms to challenge every Australian to ‘get a skin check’ and start better habits for the health of their skin, and we encourage everyone to get involved."
This year marks the third year of partnership between La Roche-Posay and Skin Check Champions, who have launched several cutting-edge initiatives together to help raise critical awareness and knowledge on sun smart behaviour and the dangers of melanoma.
To register to participate or support Skin Check Champions’ Spencer Tunick live installation, visit skincheckchampions.com and laroche-posay.com.au
To learn more about La Roche-Posay and to download hi-res imagery, click here.
Image credit: The Happy Sloths
