Yang Bu-ting (left), former chairman of the China Film Group, delivers a speech on behalf of Li Qiankuan and Xiao Guiyun on Monday during the launch of an art installation at the United Nations. JACK FREIFELDER / CHINA DAILY

A display at the United Nations is giving a Chinese-movie power couple a chance to display their artistic prowess.

The paintings of Li Qiankuan and Xiao Guiyun, arguably China's most famous film-producing couple, are being featured at the UN.

Li and Xiao — natives of Dalian (Liaoning province) and Harbin (Heilongjiang province), respectively — met at the Beijing Film Academy in the 1960s. Since then, they have been worked together on numerous film and television projects.

Historical themes have always found a way into their work, said Yang Bu-Ting, former chairman of the China Film Group.

"Li and Xiao are directors who specialize in historical themes, and they have devoted more than 50 years to the film industry," Yang said through a translator on Monday. "And they are dedicated to promoting Chinese culture and philosophy through painting and film."

Yang, a close friend of the couple, spoke during the launch event on behalf of Li and Xiao, who did not attend. The artists were not in attendance because of a prior business commitment.

"Li and Xiao present the magnificent mountains and rivers of China in this exhibition, Light and Shadows, Colour and Ink: Beauty of China," Yang said. And the passion about China is evident in these paintings."

"If we take a look at these paintings, we really find the art speaks to so many of us, be it Americans, Chinese, Europeans, etc.," said Denise Scotto, UN representative. "There is a universal language that art can really convey ideas and thoughts in ways that words can't."

More than 100 guests attended a panel discussion to open the exhibit, which is sponsored by the Central Research Institute of Culture and History, the Chinese Public Diplomacy Association, the China Film Foundation and the Sino-American Cultural Council.

Guests look at a painting titled Beauty of China by artist Xiao Guiyun, at the launch of an art display at the United Nations on Monday. The exhibit is titled Light and Shadows, Colour and Ink: Beauty of China, and features work from Xiao and her husband Li Qiankuan. JACK FREIFELDER / CHINA DAILY