Billy Degas, borned in 1996, diagnosed with high-functioning Asperger’s syndrome, Billy also developed OCD during junior high. He later left school and spent a year at the “You Yi Village” daytime care center. Motivated by a desire to return to painting, he overcame personal challenges and was accepted into a university design program. For Billy, painting is an emotional outlet. His innate talent and passion for European culture influence his technique, which reflects a Western oil painting style. Yet his deep connection to his native Taiwan is evident in his works—richly layered with thick pigments, they carry a raw, touching sincerity. In April 2017, he was awarded the 20th Global Love of Life Medal by the Chou Ta-Kuan Cultural and Educational Foundation, with his works exhibited at the Chiang Kai-shek Memorial Hall. Later that year, he won 1st Place in the adult category of the 2017 INAP Awards of Visual Art hosted by ANCA in Vancouver, Canada.