5,200 Australians strip for nude photo shoot in Sydney

Tunick,43, who is famous for his nude group photos in public places around the world, aligned participants for more than an hour in a variety of positions Monday.

"It was difficult to get the straight participants to embrace the gay participants and vice versa," Tunick said. "So I was very happy that that last set up finally got done and everyone came together (in a) united, friendly kiss, a loving kiss in front of this great structure."

Titled Mardi Gras: The Base, the installation had been commissioned by the Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras, which took place over the weekend.

People came in all shapes and sizes and one heavily pregnant woman even postponed the birth of her twins so she could take part.

Tunick said the project was about broadcasting a positive message that no one should shun other people.

'Gay men and women lay naked next to their straight neighbours and this delivered a very strong message to the world that Australians embrace a free and equal society,' he said.