After five years of looming over Wellington, New Zealand's most divisive artwork has been removed from the City Gallery roof.
The 16-foot sculpture, known as "Quasi," is the work of Australian artist Ronnie van Hout. It features a pale, flesh-coloured hand bearing an unsmiling human face that is modeled after the artist's own.
Quasi provoked both delight and dismay on social media after its reveal in August 2019.
For three years prior it sat upon on the roof of another creative space—Christchurch Art Gallery, in van Hout's hometown.
Wellingtonians have previously described the piece as "kinda creepy," "hideous" and "a Lovecraftian nightmare come to life."
"He will be missed," said Jane Black, who heads the Wellington Sculpture Trust.
A Self-Portrait Inspired by Hugo's Quasimodo
Despite the mixed responses, locals gathered to bid farewell to the piece on Wednesday.
City Council member Ben McNulty described the sculpture's departure as a defining moment for Wellington.
"This is either a great day for Wellington or a terrible day for Wellington, and there's not much view in between," he said, adding that he personally felt "devastated" by the removal.
Van Hout, who based Quasi on scans of his own hand and face, created the "partial self-portrait" as a nod to Quasimodo from Victor Hugo's The Hunchback of Notre-Dame.
The work's monstrous quality and distance from the public cemented its status as an outsider.
Back in its Christchurch period, art critic Warren Feeney argued in a 2016 op-ed that the rooftop placement made Quasi seem disconnected and heightened its divisiveness. He advised a relocation to ground-level would allow the public to engage with it more.
'It's a Staple of Wellington Now'
When installed in Wellington in 2019, McNulty said Quasi was initially met with disapproval.
"He arrived, and I won't say the city unanimously hated him, but I reckon 80 percent were like, 'What is this monster? What have we done?'"
Over time, groups of art lovers came to embrace the sculpture, forming what McNulty referred to as a "pro-Quasi" group.
Anja Porthouse, who often brought friends and family to view the sculpture, said, "It's really disturbing, but it's a staple of Wellington now."
She said she felt "gutted" by the news of Quasi's departure.
Where will Quasi be relocated to?
The sculpture's removal marks the end of an era, with its unique visage watching over the city during turbulent years marked by earthquakes, plumbing problems, and political divisions.
"I'll personally be pleased to see it head somewhere else for a change," said Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau.
"I think there's a strong feeling of relief."
On Saturday, Quasi is scheduled to be lifted by helicopter and transported to an undisclosed location in Australia. One speculative social media user joked it could find a new audience at The Hague.
"Even Lovecraftian nightmares have to return to where they came from," said van Hout.
"Now you only have an absence to reflect on."
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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