Artist presents evidence that Maitland's beloved statue has racist origins

In the New South Wales Hunter Valley town of Maitland, a long-simmering controversy over a cast-iron statue known as 'Jocko' has intensified. The 84-centimetre-tall figure, depicting an African-American boy, has stood on High Street since the 1870s, becoming a beloved local landmark. However, Puerto Rican-born artist Osvaldo Budet, who has been examining the statue's history, this week provided evidence to the Daily Mail that he says proves the statue's origins are racist, contradicting the popular local belief that it was based on a heroic slave boy honoured by George Washington.

Budet's claims stem from his ongoing exhibition at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery, which opened on July 11 and runs for four months. The exhibition, titled to explore the 'racist history of the hitching post statue', features town souvenirs such as tea towels, spoons, and pictures that depict the statue, aiming to highlight what Budet describes as its racist past. Budet, who says his art is informed by his experiences growing up in Puerto Rico and fighting colonialism and racism, argues that the statue should not be removed but that its true history should be acknowledged, perhaps through a plaque explaining the hurt it causes to people of colour.

The exhibition has sparked fierce debate and outrage on social media, with some locals expressing strong attachment to the statue, saying 'Keep your hands off our boy' and 'We love him'. A local councillor even suggested throwing the statue into the river. The controversy led to a council vote, with nine councillors voting to keep the statue and four against. Mayor Penfold defended the statue, stating that it has been part of Maitland's story for generations, appearing on badges, teaspoons, postcards, and even money boxes, and has been embraced by children and families as a beloved part of the town's identity.

Budet also complained that the council temporarily removed a report it had issued about the statue, which recommended that if the statue remained, it should be accompanied by a 'reinterpretation' plaque. Mayor Penfold responded that he did not start the debate and that the exhibition in the ratepayer-funded gallery does not reflect the strong community sentiment in support of Jocko. He also clarified that he did not seek to remove or censor the exhibition. The situation remains tense, with Budet insisting that the statue's complexity must be acknowledged, while many locals continue to see it as a harmless historical fixture.