Illuminating Time - Four Oceans, One Family: Billy Lee

I met Billy Lee through a fellow muralist, Yamio DaFiyamouth. The two of them collaborate as musicians under the band name, Soul Fiya. I was intrigued about meeting a Chinese American rapper in Portland. His name as a musician is Billy SouL. He is also a father and martial artist. He once trained to be a professional fighter in his 20’s. I had the pleasure of sharing dinner with him and his daughter several months back. His message to me was that it was important to study your history.

“That’s why it’s important to study history. We have a more broad sense of who we are, what we are doing, what we are trying to do. The more we understand history, the struggles, all the things that have happened, suddenly it adds to your passions."

One of twenty (20) ink portraits from Four Oceans, One Family with essays achieved after interviews, photo studies and gift exchanges.