Spencer Tunick’s Rainbow-Themed Nude Installation Celebrates Equality at Canary Islands Pride
A striking art installation by American photographer Spencer Tunick brought together hundreds of participants in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, over the weekend as part of a Pride-themed visual statement in support of equality and diversity. The event, titled Gran Spectrum, featured volunteers painted in vibrant rainbow colors and arranged in formations at Santa Ana Square, creating a powerful display of inclusion.
Tunick, known for his large-scale nude photography projects in urban and natural settings, organized the installation as part of the Culture & Business Pride 2026 event. According to the Gran Spectrum website, the images serve as a visual declaration in favor of equality, recognition, and fundamental rights for gender and sexual minorities. Ilta-Sanomat reports that this was the first time participants were painted in rainbow colors, symbolizing solidarity with the LGBTQ+ community.
The photographer has a long history of creating similar works worldwide, including in Finland. Yle notes that Tunick photographed nearly 1,000 volunteers in Kuopio in 2023, as well as an earlier installation in Helsinki in 2002. His most extensive project to date involved photographing approximately 18,000 people in Mexico.
Participants in Las Palmas, many of whom were members of the rainbow community and their allies, gathered unclothed and covered in body paint to form the compositions. Ilta-Sanomat describes the scene as a bold representation of presence and inclusion, with images from the event showing volunteers preparing at Santa Ana Cathedral before and after the installation.
Tunick’s work has consistently aimed to challenge norms and celebrate human diversity through large-scale participatory art. The Canary Islands installation continues this tradition, merging artistic expression with activism.