Taiwan’s National Culture and Arts Foundation has revoked the National Award for Arts granted to artist Sakuliu Pavavaljung in 2018, ordering him to return the NTD 1 million prize. The revocation follows a Supreme Court ruling on 1 April that upheld a January 2025 conviction by the Pingtung District Court, which found the artist guilty of rape and sentenced him to four years and six months in prison.
This case marks a significant intersection of Taiwan’s arts honors system with criminal justice, raising questions about how cultural institutions handle awards when recipients are convicted of serious crimes. The revocation signals a firm stance by the foundation against honoring individuals found guilty of sexual violence, potentially setting a precedent for future cases involving award recipients.