SYDNEY (AFP).- Art lovers have stripped off for nude tours of a new exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia, a concept designed to remove the material barrier between artist and audience.

The first adults-only tour, where clothes are discarded, attracted about 50 people after-hours on Wednesday evening to view James Turrell: A Retrospective, exploring the American's love of light and landscape.

Another sold-out breakfast showing at the Canberra gallery, attended by men and women covering a wide age range, took place on Thursday morning.

Melbourne-based contemporary artist Stuart Ringholt led the cheeky events and said it was a liberating experience.

"Turrell's show focuses on light and skin drinks in light so we thought the works would be best viewed naked so the whole body can partake in the experience," he told AFP.

The tickets were a sell-out and he said the tours were more than just about art and a minimalist experience.

"It was new concept for most people and we were also able to examine our fear and embarrassment about our bodies," he said.

"People were a little bit nervous to start with but once they got undressed they were smiling and laughing. It was a very happy event."

One of those on the tour, who was not named, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that naked viewing had changed his perspective on art entirely.

"Once you're there... you go, 'Oh I could look at all art like this, for the rest of my life'. I'll probably get arrested in future," he said.

After the hour-long tour, the groups enjoyed drinks together, also naked.



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