Have your say on the return of the ‘Joy’ sculpture

Project Status: Under review

Public consultation period to

Gareth Jenkins

Senior Community Engagement Coordinator – City Engagement

Claire Morgan

Program Manager Special Projects Public Art

What we’re doing

We invite your feedback on a proposal to reinstate a replica of the sculpture Joy  to the original location in East Sydney.

Joy was displayed on a plinth at the corner of Yurong and Stanley streets in Darlinghurst for 18 months in the 1990s.

The artwork is a life size sculpture of a sex worker. Artist Loui Fraser’s intent was to pay tribute to the women who historically were sex workers in the area.

The sculpture created a lot of controversy and many people were opposed to it, while others were supportive.

In 1997 the sculpture was removed at the end of its agreed installation period. Joy was acquired by Macquarie University as part of its sculpture collection in 1997 and it does not wish to part with the original. It will support a replica of the artwork.

A white sculpture of a person with crossed arms, standing within a red frame outdoors. The background includes a white-walled building with balconies and greenery from nearby trees and shrubs.

The sculpture Joy by Loui Fraser.

Digitisation of original artwork Joy in the original location.

Why we’re doing this

In November 2023 following representations, Council resolved to consult our communities on whether there was support to reinstate the sculpture.

Your feedback will help Council make an informed decision on this proposal.

How you can give feedback

Consultation closes at 5pm on Friday 26 April 2024.

Feedback may be published in publicly available reports at the end of the consultation period. Your name or organisation's name may appear in these reports with your feedback attributed. If you would like your feedback to be kept confidential, please let us know when making your contribution.

Other ways you can give feedback