A giant sculpture of a hand with a disapproving face that has ominously presided over Wellington’s civic square for five years will soon wave its final goodbye to the city, prompting relief from the capital’s mayor and sorrow from those who came to love him. The work, called Quasi, is by Melbourne-based New Zealand artist Ronnie van Hout, who made the “partial self-portrait” to sit in his home town of Christchurch after the devastating 2011 earthquake. The polystyrene and resin sculpture is also a reference to Quasimodo, from Victor Hugo’s Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Wellington mayor Tory Whanau said Quasi had generated plenty of conversation and curiosity in Wellington, and left a true mark on the city. “Quasi also showcased to us why it’s important to have diverse art and creative projects in our city,” she said. “That said, I’m looking forward to seeing Quasi head somewhere else for a change.
” Wellington central MP Tamatha Paul said many Wellingtonians were initially appalled by the sculpture and were disturbed by its unintended resemblance to former US president Donald Trump. But Quasi had since “become iconic” for the city, and achieved its purpose as an artwork, Paul said. “People had quite strong views about it and I guess that’s probably the essence of art – being open to everybody’s different interpretations, and the love and the hate that people had for it.
” Quasi spent three years atop the Christchurch Art Gallery, before relocating.
