Grafitti artists question why Corte Real statue still stands tall
The statue of 16th-century explorer Gaspar Corte-real on Prince Philip Drive in
St. John’s, across from the Confederation Building, was defaced with graffitti in recent days.
Spray-painted words, “Why is this guy still here?” and, “Slaver,” covered the base of the statue.
In 1965, the statue was given to the province as a gift “from the Portuguese Fisheries Organization as an expression of gratitude on behalf of the Portuguese Grand Banks fishermen for the friendly hospitality always extended to them by the people of Terra Nova.”
The statue is among many in North America and other parts of the world being defaced, pulled down or put under review during a mounting anti-racism movement. Corte-real, it is believed, had taken Indigenous people as slaves. Little else is known about the explorer, but the current movement has caused the provincial government to review whether monuments across the island reflect modern values.