Quasi is leaving Wellington after five years at the city's art gallery

Quasi, a giant hand-face sculpture by New Zealand artist Ronnie van Hout, is leaving Wellington after spending five years at the city's art gallery in Civic Square.

The artwork was commissioned in 2016 for the roof of the Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetū following the 2011 earthquake. In 2019 it moved into its new home at the Städtische Galerie.

Weather permitting, the sculpture will be removed from the roof of the city gallery on Saturday.

Quasi will be removed from the roof of the city gallery on Saturday, weather permitting.
Photo: RNZ/REECE BAKER

Quasi now returns to Australia at a venue to be announced. Ronnie van Hout, born in Christchurch, now lives in Melbourne.

The sculpture is one of the most famous in the capital. The 5m tall hand stands on two fingers and the artist's face protrudes from the back. It is a partial self-portrait based on scans of the artist's face and hand.

The artwork references Quasimodo, the Hunchback in Victor Hugo's 1831 novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame.

Quasi will be installed in Wellington in 2019.
Photo: Delivered / Wellington City Council / Mark Tantrum

Jane Black, chair of the Wellington Sculpture Trust, said at the time of installation it was the trust's seventh temporary installation in the city.

“No one else, neither before nor since, has penetrated our streetscape so dramatically. Quasi arrived by helicopter on an azure morning and caused a stir from day one, locally, nationally and internationally.

“He was a great supporter of Wellington's creativity and, as TIME magazine said, our 'quirkyness'.”

“It will be missed and leaves a quasi-shaped hole in our urban skyline.”

Wellington City Councilor Ben McNulty said he was personally saddened to see Quasi leave the capital.

“I love Quasi, I love that it's polarizing, I love that you're either for or against it, and I think it's such an interesting piece of modern art that brings life to this part of our city,” said he Lunch report.

However, Wellingtonians might be lucky to have hosted the sculpture for so long, he said.

“It wasn’t originally intended to stay that long, the resource consent didn’t actually allow it to stay that long – the City Gallery extended it.”

“But there is still work to be done at the City Gallery and I understand the artist would also like to have it back for a viewing elsewhere in Australia.”

“So he was always intended to be a transitional player, but he has become a fixture in the area and I’m sad to see him go.”

The sculpture's new home will be in Australia, but a venue has not yet been announced.
Photo: RNZ/REECE BAKER

Wheako Pōneke Experience Wellington exhibition director Judith Cooke said the sculpture had had a huge impact on Wellington and sparked heated debate.

“Quasi will continue to bring his big personality with him wherever he goes. It has been a privilege to share our home with him for five years.”

The City Gallery will be closed for two years due to construction work on Te Ngākau Civic Square and building repairs and is scheduled to reopen in 2026. Cooke said she continues to offer exhibitions at other locations.