George W Bush paintings to go on display at Kennedy Center

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 Wednesday.

"The Kennedy Center is proud to share these works -- painted by a living president -- that honor 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