The Bridgeport University Gallery in Connecticut will be exhibiting Peter Konsterlie‘s 242 portraits of U.S. soldiers who died in one week in Vietnam, an artistic undertaking inspired by the June 27, 1969, Life magazine cover and article, “Faces of the American Dead,” which contained photos with age, rank and hometown of the young men who were casualties from May 28 – June 3, 1969.
At a time of emotional loss following the suicide of a friend, Konsterlie discovered the Life magazine photos in 2005 and decided to paint a few of them. He soon realized, in tribute to the fallen GIs, that he needed to paint them all, which has been an ongoing project of his since 2007.
The exhibit runs Nov. 17 – Dec. 10. For information, call 203-576-4034.
