Quasi, a giant sculpture of a hand with a human face, has become an iconic yet controversial figure in Wellington, New Zealand, and is now set to be removed after five years of overseeing the city.
Created by artist Ronnie van Hout, Quasi was originally commissioned by the Christchurch Art Gallery in 2016 and later relocated to the top of City Gallery Wellington in 2019.
Standing at 16.4 feet tall and modeled after van Hout’s own hand and face, the sculpture quickly stirred controversy among some Wellington residents, with many branding it “disturbing” on social media.
Wellington Sculpture Trust Chair Jane Black expressed that Quasi will be missed. “No other sculpture, before or since, arrived so dramatically into our streetscape. Quasi landed on an azure-blue morning by helicopter, creating a stir from day one, both locally and internationally. He was a great cheerleader for Wellington’s creativity, embodying what Time magazine described as our ‘quirkiness.’ His absence will be felt, leaving a Quasi-shaped void in our civic skyline.”
Quasi is scheduled for removal on Saturday and will be transported to Australia, although a new location for the sculpture has yet to be announced.