A unique sculpture from renowned artist Ronnie van Hout has made its mainland debut and can be seen perched on the top of a building on View Street in Bendigo.
Quasi is a five metre sculpture of a giant hand featuring the artist’s own likeness. The giant hand was installed early yesterday morning on the building that houses Peachy coffee shop.
While Bendigo Art Gallery is undergoing redevelopment, Quasi will serve as a key activation for View Street and the city centre, inviting residents and visitors to see it for themselves.
The best place to snap and share photos with others is on the opposite side of View Street, near Trades Hall.
The sculpture draws inspiration from the tragic hero and fellow roof dweller Quasimodo in Victor Hugo’s novel, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, who was persecuted and ridiculed for his appearance. From his belltower in the Notre Dame cathedral, Quasimodo overlooked Paris during a period of dramatic transformation and modernisation.
The artist Ronnie van Hout, who was born in New Zealand and lives in Melbourne, is well known for his artworks that often spark curiosity and debate.
After a stint at Mona’s Dark Mofo festival in Tasmania in 2025, this is the first time the sculpture has been seen on mainland Australia. Quasi was commissioned in 2016 by Christchurch Art Gallery as part of a series of outdoor art projects in the years following the 2011 earthquake in the city and it caused a sensation. Quasi has also appeared at the top of Wellington Art Gallery.
Bendigo Art Gallery Curatorial Manager Lauren Ellis said Quasi will be an extraordinary activation not seen before in Greater Bendigo, inviting people to look up and assess the sculpture for themselves.
“Ronnie van Hout is a widely celebrated artist, known for his playful, uncanny, and sometimes polarising works. He is known for his unsettling blend of humour and tragedy. His works never fail to elicit a response from people, sometimes repulsion, sometimes empathy, always curiosity, and this makes him one of Australia’s most compelling and sought-after artists,” Lauren said.
“In New Zealand and around the world, Quasi has attracted plenty of media controversy, but many locals and visitors loved him. The fact the artwork was discussed so widely was important. Quasi’s presence in the Bendigo skyline will be a reminder of the power of art in creating conversations and provoking emotional responses.
“It is also important to bring a high-profile artwork to the View Street precinct while the Gallery is closed for redevelopment, to be alongside our creative neighbours and community in the street.
“People will be keen to share their personal opinions about Quasi. Love it or loathe it, the giant uncanny hand will draw people to View Street and the city centre and that helps to support local businesses while the Gallery is closed for redevelopment.”
Quasi complements the front wall hoarding of the Gallery building site which features a selection of historic and contemporary portraits by legendary Australian artists, including Tom Roberts, Sidney Nolan, Gordon Bennett, and Patricia Piccinini.
CURIOSITY: Building Breakthroughs in LEGOR Bricks is another popular offsite project presented by Bendigo Art Gallery in collaboration with the Discovery Science & Technology Centre until Sunday November 19. Tickets are available on the Discovery Centre website.
Bendigo Town Hall will be the host venue for the Gallery’s next offsite programs, opening in late August. More details on the free exhibitions will be announced in the coming weeks.
