The Ferens Art Gallery in Kingston-upon-Hull has commissioned artist Spencer Tunick to creation a one-off photographic installation of hundreds of naked people, as part of the locale’s City of Culture 2017 campaign.

The creation of ‘Sea of Hull’, which has been organised by Hull City Council and Hull Culture and Leisure, will take place in Hull’s city centre on 9 July, offering those intrigued by naturism the chance to strip off in front of the camera.

Local and international participants will be painted to represent the colours of the sea and be asked to create abstract shapes. They have been told they will “only be naked for a short period of time”.

Interested volunteers can sign up via the Hull 2017 website. The final artwork will be presented next year.

Based in New York, Tunick has created more than 90 human installations around the world. He said: "I'm very interested in the history of the city, its place as a seafaring centre and its relationship to a rich maritime past.

"It intrigues me that in some places where there are major streets or parks today, previously there was water. To reflect this, I'll be using body paint so that the massed people create the idea of a sea of humanity flooding the urban landscape."

Councillor Terry Geraghty, chair of Hull Culture & Leisure, added: "We are thrilled to secure this unique artist and bring his work to the city. It is a testament to the Ferens’ ambitions for both the development of its collection and exhibitions as we look forward to putting the gallery on the national and international map in 2017 and beyond.”