Gary Tegel of Costa Mesa takes photos of the paintings done by his good friend, Ed Bowen, at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The new exhibit titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, shows the work Bowen, who was a resident of Newport Beach and died in Dec. 2023. Bowen served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
As war raged, art was made.
And now those photos and sketches, and the drawings and paintings they inspired, chronicling moments from the Vietnam War are on display at Heroes Hall, part of the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa.
Some of the work done by Ed Bowen on display at a new exhibit open at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Bowen, a resident of Newport Beach who died in Dec. 2023, served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s, documented it with photographs and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pier Tegel of Costa Mesa watches a video of Ed Bowen speaking at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The new exhibit titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, shows the work of Bowen, who was a resident of Newport Beach and died in Dec. 2023. Bowen served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gary Tegel of Costa Mesa views the paintings of his good friend, Ed Bowen, at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The new exhibit titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, shows the work of Bowen, who was a resident of Newport Beach and died in Dec. 2023. Bowen served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A drawing done by Ed Bowen on display at a new exhibit open at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Bowen, a resident of Newport Beach who died in Dec. 2023, served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s, documented it with photographs and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Some of the work done by Ed Bowen on display at a new exhibit open at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Bowen, a resident of Newport Beach who died in Dec. 2023, served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s, and documented it with photographs and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gary Tegel of Costa Mesa takes photos of the paintings of his good friend, Ed Bowen, at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The new exhibit titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, shows the work of Bowen, who was a resident of Newport Beach and died in Dec. 2023. Bowen served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Pier Tegel of Costa Mesa looks at the paintings of Ed Bowen, who was a friend of her husband, Gary, at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The new exhibit titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, shows the work Bowen, who was a resident of Newport Beach and died in Dec. 2023. Bowen served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A drawing done by Ed Bowen on display at a new exhibit open at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Bowen, a resident of Newport Beach who died in Dec. 2023, served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s, and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Gary Tegel of Costa Mesa takes photos of the paintings done by his good friend, Ed Bowen, at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. The new exhibit titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, shows the work Bowen, who was a resident of Newport Beach and died in Dec. 2023. Bowen served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
A photograph and uniform of Ed Bowen are on display at a new exhibit open at the Heroes Hall at the OC Fair and Event Center in Costa Mesa, titled, The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024. Bowen, a resident of Newport Beach who died in Dec. 2023, served in the Vietnam War during the mid 1960’s, and documented it with photographs, drawings and paintings. (Photo by Mark Rightmire, Orange County Register/SCNG)
The new exhibit, “The Vietnam War Through the Art and Photography of Ed Bowen,” opened this week and will be on display through Dec. 22.
Bowen, an Orange County resident, was drafted into the Army in 1967, destined to become a helicopter door gunner. But then his artistic talents were discovered, and Bowen spent his time in Vietnam serving as a combat artist.
Previously Bowen turned his work into a book, “Drawing Fire: Vietnam Through the Eyes of a Combat Artist.”
In the last few years, he worked with the Heroes Hall staff planning an exhibit of his artwork, even painting new pieces, but died in late December at his home in Corona Del Mar before he could see it displayed.
The exhibit had been offered to Bowen after he entered a 2021 art contest for veterans and won second place.
“Ed was a man of great humility, so when we offered to hold an exhibit exclusively with his combat artwork, he acted as though we were doing him a big favor,” Director of Exhibits and Education Carol Singleton said in a newsletter announcement of his death. “But it was us who would benefit from his great talent as well as his kindness and generosity.”
In the years since his military service, Bowen taught art at Fountain Valley High and made jewelry. Before he was drafted, he taught for a short time at Villa Park High.
The exhibit at Heroes Hall features letters, memorabilia and photos along with more than 30 art pieces by Bowen.
A public opening reception and celebration of life honoring Bowen will be held at the exhibit from 4 to 6 p.m. on May 11 with speakers and music.
Heroes Hall is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesdays through Sundays. Information: ocfair.com/heroes-hall
