Il suo dolore è anche il nostro. Riflessioni su corporeità, trauma e tristezza nell’opera di Wu Mali

Abstract

This article examines Wu Mali’s artwork Mùzhìmíng (1997) as a critical lens to explore the interplay between corporeality, trauma, and female identity in contemporary Taiwan. Situated within the 1990s Taiwanization process and the commemoration of the 2-28 Incident, the study argues that official narratives of national healing were inherently patriarchal, elevating male victims to national heroes while marginalizing female experiences. Adopting an interdisciplinary approach merging visual studies and sociology, the paper demonstrates how Wu Mali challenges this exclusion. By employing socially engaged art, Mùzhìmíng exposes the contradictions of official memory, acting as a counter-narrative that disrupts the patriarchal cycle of trauma. The artwork reveals that national “sadness” remains unresolved for women, highlighting the inadequacy of institutional healing processes. Ultimately, the study underscores the power of artistic expression in unveiling the gendered silences embedded within the construction of national identity.