Quasi Sculpture to Leave Wellington This Week

The giant sculpture named Quasi, created by Australia-based sculptor Ronnie van Hout, is set to be removed from the roof of the City Gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, after five years of evoking strong reactions ranging from horror to delight. Featuring an unsmiling human face and inspired partly by Quasimodo from Victor Hugo's novel, Quasi garnered attention due to its controversial presence and was perceived by some as resembling former US president Donald Trump. Initially installed in Christchurch in 2016, the sculpture faced criticism but eventually became iconic after moving to Wellington in 2019. Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau noted that the sculpture sparked significant discussion, highlighting the importance of diverse art in the city. Although some residents expressed relief at its departure, others, like council member Ben McNulty, were saddened by the removal of what had become a unique part of the city's landscape. Quasi will be taken to a new, undisclosed location after its removal this week.