Photo of martyr Ha Xuan Phong. An exhibition of 64 of his paintings during the American war in the 1970s will open at the Da Nang Fine Arts Museum at 78 Le Duan Street on Friday and close on July 30.

The event is being held to mark the 72nd anniversary of the Martyrs and War Invalids Day (July 27).

Phong, who was killed in battle in Military Zone 5 in central Vietnam in 1974, left hundreds of portraits, paintings and drawings of people and activities of soldiers and the community during the war.

A portrait of a mother painted by martyr Ha Xuan Phong during the war. — Photo courtesy Da Nang Fine Arts Museum

Phong, who was born in 1937 in Man Thai fishing village on Son Tra peninsula, studied painting at Viet Nam Fine Arts College before joining a course in Ukraine.

He joined the liberated Military Zone 5 Arts Association in 1968.

The Da Nang-born artist took arms to fight against opponents, but he also created hundreds of paintings during the battle in central Vietnam.

A scene of a communal health centre during the war. The painting by martyr Ha Xuan Phong was done during the American war in the late 1970s. — Photo courtesy Da Nang Fine Arts Museum     A painting of a mortar team of women by martyr artist Ha Xuan Phong. — Photo courtesy Da Nang Fine Arts Museum

Phong was killed during a river crossing march in Quang Nam Province in 1974.

The Da Nang Fine Arts Museum at 78 Le Duan Street selected 64 of his paintings to demonstrate the sacrifice of the martyr and his contribution to the country during the war.

The exhibition will run till July 30.

VNS