Taiwan’s National Culture and Arts Foundation has revoked the National Award for Arts from Indigenous Paiwan artist Sakuliu Pavavaljung, following his conviction for sexual assault. The Supreme Court upheld a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence for forcible sexual intercourse involving a female student in 2021. Pavavaljung, who received the award in 2018, must return the NTD 1 million prize. The case gained traction after artist Kuo Yu Ping disclosed it on social media in December 2021, leading to additional victims coming forward. His planned exhibition for Taiwan at the 59th Venice Biennale was canceled in 2022.
This revocation is the first instance of a national honor being withdrawn under Taiwan’s “MeToo” disqualification provisions, implemented in 2023. The case underscores the growing accountability within Taiwan’s cultural sector for sexual misconduct, signaling a shift in how institutions handle allegations against prominent artists. It also highlights the tension between artistic achievement and ethical conduct, with potential implications for future award policies and public trust in national honors.