Replica Of World’s First Sex Worker Statue To Return Home

A replica of the world’s first sex worker statue, Joy, is set to return home to her original spot in Darlinghurst in the coming months.

Sculpted by artist Loui May in 1995, Joy was a tribute to local sex workers, inspired by the women she saw leaning in doorways of brothels, taking a smoke break between clients.

Located on the corner of Stanley and Yurong Street for 18 months, she was met with mixed reactions from the public, with some even vandalising her.

In 1997 at the end of the agreed installation period, Joy was removed by the South Sydney City Council, and moved to Macquarie University’s Sculpture Park, where she’s been living for nearly three decades.

Then, in 2023, a renewed campaign to bring Joy back home to the streets of Darlinghurst began, launched by noted sex worker activist and policy consultant Julie Bates AO, historian Dr Catherine Freyne, and May herself.

Councillor Linda Scott brought forward a motion titled ‘Bring Joy Home,’ in November that year, asking that a copy of the original statue be made and installed at the original location.

“Joy is an important part of the history of our city, just as the sex workers that she represents are an important part of the history of East Sydney,” she told the council.

“Restoring Joy is deserved by the women past and present who played such an important role in creating Sydney’s history and for fighting for better rights for sex workers.”

“A long overdue celebration” says peak body

Now, after funding from the City of Sydney and an overwhelmingly successful public feedback survey, Joy has been recast in bronze by a local foundry, prepared to weather whatever the streets will throw at her.

“The City of Sydney was in touch with Macquarie University, who agreed to make the original artwork available so a replica could be created,” said a city spokesperson. 

“In addition, the artist, Loui May, confirmed her support for the return of a replica of the artwork to the original location.

“The community were overwhelmingly in favour of reinstalling the statue, with 86 percent of submissions supporting the proposal.”

2025 also marks 30 years since NSW became the first jurisdiction in the world to decriminalise sex work, a fitting homecoming for a revolutionary milestone.

Bates and Dr Freyne will tomorrow host a public celebration where Stanley and Yurong Streets meet, with attendees encouraged to bring their red umbrellas, an international symbol for sex worker rights and empowerment.

In a statement on their social media, peer education sex worker organisation, Sex Workers Outreach Project (SWOP) NSW, said Joy represents the visibility, pride, and ongoing fight for recognition of sex workers everywhere.

“Her return is a powerful recognition of the contributions of women and working people to the city’s cultural fabric, and a long-overdue celebration of the lives, labour, and legacy of sex workers.”