Gong Li's portrait on display at "The Transformative Power of Art" exhibition, at the United Nations headquarters in New York.[Photo/un.org]

Chinese actress Gong Li was among 16 global thinkers and artists whose portraits were displayed at a recent UN exhibition that honored them for their contributions to the common good of humanity.

"The Transformative Power of Art" exhibition, organized by the president of the General Assembly Sam Kutesa, was held at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 30.

The curator of the exhibition Fabrizio Ruggiero's 16 large portraits combine the ancient fresco technique with contemporary technology and depict thinkers and artists from all continents who contributed to the common good of humanity and stood up for the most vulnerable.