In Wellington, New Zealand, a large and unusual sculpture known as Quasi is being taken down from atop the City Gallery after five years.
This 16.4-foot-tall sculpture, created by artist Ronnie van Hout, features a giant hand with a human face based on van Hout’s own features. Since its arrival in 2019, Quasi has stirred mixed reactions, with many people on social media describing it as “disturbing.”
Jane Black, Chair of the Wellington Sculpture Trust, acknowledged that while the sculpture may have shocked some, it became a unique symbol of the city’s creativity. In a City Council release, she described how Quasi arrived dramatically by helicopter and added a distinct touch to the skyline, even earning recognition from Time magazine for reflecting Wellington’s “quirkiness.”
The sculpture will be taken down on Saturday and is set to be shipped to Australia, though its new location has yet to be announced.
