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Tribute to sex workers returns after 3 decades

City of Sydney

A bronze replica of the artwork JOY that pays tribute to inner-city sex workers has been unveiled in Darlinghurst almost 30 years after the removal of the original statue.

 

Created by artist Loui Fraser, the artwork recognises the complex and significant role of sex workers in Sydney’s history, with NSW being one of the first places to decriminalise many forms of sex work.

These legislative changes allowed stronger health and safety outcomes for professionals in the sex work industry, protected against illegal sex trafficking and reduced stigma faced by sex workers.

 

In late 2023, following a public petition, Council resolved to consult the public about reinstating the sculpture or a replica on the corner of Yurong and Stanley streets. More than 80% of responses were in support of returning a replica to the original Darlinghurst location.

 

“Darlinghurst was a very different place in the ‘90s when sex and drugs and associated crime were rife on these streets,” Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO said.

 

“The original red and white, cement, marble dust and steel sculpture by then local artist Loui Fraser was created as a tribute to women and to the history of East Sydney as a place known for sex workers.

 

“It’s been 30 years since JOY graced this corner and 30 years since NSW became one of the first jurisdictions in the world to decriminalise many forms of sex work, sealing our place as a global leader in sex worker rights.

 

“The reinstallation of JOY also contributes to the City’s work in rebalancing Sydney’s public art collection by providing more representations of women and other traditionally marginalised groups.”

 

Then known as Loui Fraser, the artist approached South Sydney Council in 1995 with her proposal for the original, temporary artwork.

 

She was inspired by her years as a teenage art student walking through the area to East Sydney Technical College and seeing women standing in their doorways.

 

The figure stood on the Darlinghurst corner for 18 months until 1997 and was subsequently relocated to a permanent home in the sculpture collection at Macquarie University.

 

“While my hands may have created this sculpture, it is the women who have lived and worked in this area through history that JOY represents,” Ms Fraser said.

“On their behalf, I give thanks to the hundreds of supporters who believed this sculpture was important, including writers, academics, journalists, artists, podcasters, poets and others.”

 

The replica unveiled on Saturday was cast from a mould of the original artwork.

 

Read the 2023 Council decision.

 

About artist Loui Fraser (now known as Loui May)

Loui left school at 15 to attend the National Art School in East Sydney, where she studied interior and industrial design. She established her own fashion label 10 years later and won a design award that included a trip to the fashion houses of London and Paris and fashion week in the French capital. While in Paris, Loui visited the Rodin Museum. It proved a revelation, leaving her with a love of sculpture and a belief that this was her craft.

For 40 years, Loui has exhibited in various galleries, with many works held in private collections and public commissions in Sydney and the Northern Rivers, where she now lives.

 

For media enquiries contact Roxanne Macara. Phone 0438 554 640 or email [email protected]

 

For interviews with Lord Mayor of Sydney, Clover Moore AO contact Paul Mackay. Phone 0436 816 604 or email [email protected]

 

For more stories from your local area, visit news.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au

 

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