A controversial sculpture of a giant hand with a human face is being removed from atop a gallery in Wellington, New Zealand, after overlooking the city for 5 years. Quasi, a sculpture by Ronnie van Hout, was originally commissioned by the Christchurch Art Gallery in 2016, and was moved to the top of City Gallery Wellington in 2019. The 16.4-foot-tall sculpture — based on van Hout’s own hand and face — proved immediately controversial with some Wellington residents and was branded “disturbing” on social media. Wellington Sculpture Trust Chair Jane Black said in a Wellington City Council news release that the sculpture will be missed. "He was a great cheerleader for Wellington's creativity, and as Time magazine said, our 'quirkiness,'" said Black. Quasi is scheduled to be moved to Australia, but a new venue for the sculpture has yet to be announced.
