Country town of Maitland, NSW erupts as artist Osvaldo Budet labels statue of African-American boy on main street for 150 years as racist – with the local council staging a dramatic vote
An artwork by Osvaldo Budet has reignited debate in Maitland, New South Wales, over ‘Jocko’, a cast-iron statue of a Black American boy that has stood on High Street for about 150 years. Budet argues that the figure reinforces a racist, servile stereotype, while supporters regard it as a longstanding local landmark; the dispute has raised broader questions about how communities interpret contested public heritage.
The 84cm statue originated as a 19th-century tobacconist’s promotional fixture and was also used as a horse-hitching post. It is linked to an unverified story about Jocko Graves, said to have died while helping George Washington’s forces; critics note its resemblance to American lawn-jockey figures. Maitland Council held a vote backing the mayor’s handling of a disclaimer attached to Budet’s exhibition, rather than voting to remove the statue.
- Maitland’s historic ‘Jocko’ statue has sparked a renewed racism and heritage debate.
- Artist Osvaldo Budet says the statue depicts Black servitude.
- Council’s vote concerned exhibition signage, not the statue’s removal.
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