In a significant cultural and ethical move, Taiwan has officially rescinded the National Award for Arts from Indigenous artist Sakuliu Pavavaljung after his conviction for sexual assault was upheld by the nation’s Supreme Court. The ruling has sparked discussions about accountability in the arts community and the broader implications of the Me Too movement in Taiwan.
Conviction Details and Legal Proceedings
On 1 April 2026, Taiwan’s Supreme Court dismissed Pavavaljung’s appeal, maintaining a prison sentence of four years and six months for “forcible sexual intercourse.” The case originated from an incident in February 2021, involving a woman he was mentoring artistically. The Pingtung District Court found him guilty in January 2025, asserting that he had severely violated her sexual autonomy and inflicted considerable psychological trauma.
Following the Supreme Court’s decision, the Ministry of Culture and the National Culture and Arts Foundation announced on 17 April that Pavavaljung would be stripped of the NT$1 million (£23,538) prize he received as part of the award in 2018. This action marks a pivotal moment in Taiwan’s approach to addressing misconduct within the arts sector.
The Rise of Allegations
The allegations against Pavavaljung first surfaced in December 2021 when another artist publicly shared an account of an assault by an unnamed Paiwan artist. This social media revelation led to a cascade of accusations, including claims from another woman alleging an attempted assault by Pavavaljung in 2006. The Paiwan community, of which he is a member, is the second-largest Indigenous group in Taiwan, highlighting the profound implications of these allegations within Indigenous cultural circles.
A Landmark Decision in the Arts Community
Pavavaljung’s case is particularly notable as it represents the first instance in which a national arts award has been revoked due to disqualification provisions that emerged from the Me Too movement in 2023. The National Award for Arts, established in 1997, is one of Taiwan’s highest accolades for artistic achievement across various disciplines. Pavavaljung was among the seven recipients of the award’s 20th edition, celebrated for his multidisciplinary practice rooted in Paiwan culture.
In light of the ongoing legal troubles, the Taipei Fine Arts Museum ceased to involve him in Taiwan’s representation at the Venice Biennale in January 2022, citing the need to protect Taiwan’s diplomatic image and uphold the integrity of artistic discourse. His participation in Documenta 15 in Kassel, Germany, was also suspended, further isolating him from prominent artistic platforms.
Institutional Responses and Community Impact
In response to the allegations, an online petition garnering over 1,100 signatures from art workers called for accountability, urging institutions to cease collaborations with Pavavaljung until his name was cleared. The collective voice of the art community reflects a growing intolerance for misconduct and a commitment to supporting survivors of sexual violence.
Pavavaljung’s name has now been removed from the official website of the National Award for Arts, symbolising a decisive stance against allowing artistic merit to overshadow ethical accountability.
Why it Matters
This revocation is not merely a punitive measure; it signifies a broader cultural shift within Taiwan, where the arts community is increasingly prioritising ethical conduct alongside artistic excellence. As institutions grapple with the implications of misconduct, the case of Sakuliu Pavavaljung stands as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance, transparency, and support for survivors. It underscores the importance of accountability in nurturing a creative environment that respects the dignity and autonomy of all individuals, particularly within vulnerable communities.
