WASHINGTON, Aug 1 ― Paintings of wounded US military veterans by former president George W. Bush are to go on display this year at a Kennedy Center gallery, the Washington-based national cultural centre said yesterday.

"The Kennedy Center is proud to share these works ― painted by a living president ― that honour the men and women who defend our freedom,” its president Deborah Rutter said in a statement.

The Kennedy Center said 66 of Bush's paintings would go on display from October 7 until November 15 as part of an exhibit entitled "Profiles in Courage.” 

The paintings have been displayed previously at the George W. Bush Presidential Center in Dallas and featured in a book, Portraits of Courage: A Commander in Chief's Tribute to America's Warriors.

"Exploring the injuries ― visible and invisible ― suffered by these veterans, the exhibition offers the unique perspective of a commander in chief paying tribute to the service of those who were under his command,” the Kennedy Center said.

Bush, 73, who was president during the September 11, 2001 attacks and launched wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, has become an avid painter since leaving office in 2009. ― AFP