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Artist Brian Fox stands in his Fall River studio on Friday, Sept. 19, 2025. [Herald News/Colin Furze
Episode 3112 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Artist Brian Fox’s Fall River, MA Vietnam Veterans exhibit. The featured story appeared in The Herald News. It is titled: Fall River artist Brian Fox to unveil Vietnam exhibit. See what inspired his military series.. It was submitted by Greg Sullivan.
Reported this: Renowned Fall River artist Brian Fox is set to unveil a powerful new exhibit, “In the Valley of the Shadow: The Cost of Walking with Death,” at the Narrows Center for the Arts from Oct. 18 to Dec. 27. Known for portraits of celebrities and sports icons, Fox shifts focus to Vietnam War soldiers — and critically, to the under recognized women who served beside them.
The series of 25 paintings and sketches draws on deep collaboration with Vietnam veterans, who provided direct feedback in Fox’s studio. One standout work, “Vietnam Nurse,” marks a turning point in the collection. It’s the only color piece, the only one depicting a woman, and one of the most emotionally resonant. Based on extensive research and guidance from former military nurses like Mary Goff, the painting honors the estimated 10,000 American women — 90% of them nurses — who served in Vietnam.
Fox emphasized the immense sacrifices these women made, often working grueling 12-hour shifts in traumatic conditions. Many returned home unrecognized, with some Americans unaware that women had even served in Vietnam. Veterans who viewed the painting reportedly became emotional, telling Fox: “You have no idea how important these nurses were to us.”
Other highlights include a series painted on rusting metal to represent the invisible, corrosive toll of Agent Orange — a haunting metaphor for the ongoing health crises among aging vets.
Fox insists the exhibit does not glorify war. Instead, it demands reflection on its human cost. The exhibit is already drawing interest from local schools and may tour nationally. A companion book by author Steve Manchester will further explore the stories behind the art.
Above all, Fox’s work shines a long-overdue spotlight on women nurses — the silent heroes who saved lives in the shadows of war.
Listen to Episode 3113 and discover more about Artist Brian Fox’s Fall River, MA Vietnam Veterans exhibit.
