The city bids farewell to Quasi the five-metre tall sculpture of artist Ronnie van Hout’s face and hand which took up residence on the roof of the Christchurch Art Gallery in 2016. Renowned for mixing surreal with the serious, van Hout’s work focuses on dramatic figures that initiate conversation and engagement – which is exactly what the giant installation has done since it graced the city and enlivened the skyline.

Bringing a profound sense of humour, the thought-provoking piece has been the talk of the town drawing curious gazes and snaps of the obscure installation but it’s now heading north and setting up shop in the culture capital, Wellington.

Lara Strongman, Head Curator of the Christchurch Art Gallery says that “like all his work, it’s essentially enigmatic – you make your own reading of the work, and have your own emotional response to its presence there on the skyline. We’ve loved hosting Quasi on our gallery roof for the past couple of years and we’re going to miss it very much.”

christchurchartgallery.org.nz

Image: Ronnie van Hout, Quasi (2016). Steel, polystyrene and resin. Commissioned by Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu. Courtesy of the artist.