First, the "Taoiseach in the Nude" was Ireland's only naked problem.

But now, a famed, or infamous, photographer who took pictures of thousands of naked people in Dublin and Cork last year is refusing an offer to exhibit the pictures in Ireland.

Spencer Tunick was supposed to show an exhibit from the naked photo shoots in Dublin this spring, but now says it won't happen.

The news came after the Dublin Docklands Development Authority asked him to stage an exhibition in the Irish Financial Services Center.

The US photographer declined the invitation, preferring to display his work in the National Gallery or Irish Museum of Modern Art, reports stated.

However, neither gallery has an opening available in the coming months.


Almost 1,200 volunteers participated in a nude photo shoot at Blarney Castle in Co Cork last June. Just over 100 people took part in a smaller shoot at White Street car park in Cork city.

More than 2,500 took part in another installation at South Wall in Dublin's docklands, while another 144 were involved in another installation on the balconies of the Alto Vetro Building at Grand Canal Dock.

The photo shoot at Blarney Castle was part of the city's midsummer festival.

Radio star Ray D'Arcy was among those who dedicated their bodies to art in Cork.

"People were saying 'good luck' before it, but it wasn't like playing a football match or anything. How much luck do you need to remove your clothes? You do it a couple of times a day," D'Arcy said at the time.
Renowned

New York City-based Tunick is a world-renowned photographer who specializes in what he terms "site-specific nudes".

He is best known for his elaborately-posed still and video images of multiple nude figures in public settings.

He has taken mass nude photos around the world including Montreal, Melbourne, Lyon, London, Newcastle-Gateshead, Santiago, New York, Mexico City and Barcelona.

Tunick's work has involved from 100 to more than 18,000 volunteers. He has been arrested a number of times while creating his artworks.