A debate over a 150-year-old statue in Maitland, Australia, has intensified as Puerto Rican artist Osvaldo Budet presented evidence suggesting the iron depiction of a black boy, known locally as Jocko, has racist origins. Budet obtained American iron foundry catalogues from the 1870s that show an identical statue was sold under the slurs "Darkey" and "Sambo."
Maitland's statue, originally placed outside a High Street tobacco store around 1870, has become a town fixture. Budet, who lived in Maitland for five years, argues that while the object is loved by some, its complex history and potential to cause hurt to people of color should be acknowledged. He is not calling for the statue's removal but for its origins to be recognized, suggesting a plaque could explain its history.
Budet's views were part of an exhibition at the Maitland Regional Art Gallery that explored the "racist history of the hitching post statue." The exhibition featured souvenirs like tea towels and spoons with images of the statue. Budet stated his artistic approach is informed by his "experience growing up in Borikén (the Indigenous word for Puerto Rico) fighting colonialism, racism, patriarchy and imperialism through my art."
Maitland Mayor Philip Penfold has defended the statue, stating it has been part of the city's story through significant historical periods and has been embraced by generations. "He has appeared on badges, teaspoons, postcards, phone books and Maitland Mutual money boxes, with a replica still proudly displayed at their Maitland branch today," Penfold said.
The Maitland Council took the statue's future to a vote, with nine councillors voting to keep it and four against. The council also placed a sign near Budet's exhibition stating that the display might "cause offense" but that the council "respects freedom of expression and the artist's right to present this exhibition."
Budet told the Daily Mail that the council was in a "municipal panic" and that locals, both Black and white, supported his stance. He believes the "Sambo" and "Darkey" statues marketed by New York iron foundries were intended to "make fun of black people or humiliate black people."
A report from the council, which was temporarily removed but later discussed, suggested that if the statue remained, it would be accompanied by a "reinterpretation" plaque detailing its contested history, including information about First Nations history and cultural heritage, following public consultation. The report also noted that the statue "may be considered for removal from the public domain" given its sensitivity.