Vytenis Jankūnas – Capturing Urban Life Through a Conceptual Lens

His career spans decades, and he has earned praise for turning scenes of daily commutes into compelling visual stories. His clear approach and sharp eye for detail invite viewers to look at familiar environments in a new way.

Jankūnas trained at the Vilnius Academy of Arts, where he began working in painting and sculpture. After moving to New York, he turned his focus to documenting city life through creative photography and video. His images capture the flow of everyday experiences—from people riding subways to neon storefronts—layered with subtle distortions that blur the boundaries of time. Multiple exposures and digital edits allow him to overlap moments and shift perspective, adding a surreal touch to otherwise common scenes.

Over the years, Jankūnas has exhibited his work in both Europe and the United States. He has held solo and group shows in Paris, Copenhagen, and Lithuania, as well as across New York. Many art organizations and institutions have recognized his ability to merge social commentary with engaging visuals, leading to awards, fellowships, and residencies. Despite his conceptual approach, his art remains accessible; viewers don’t need specialized knowledge to understand its themes of humanity and urban experience.

TRUE NORTH Connection

‍On April 22, 2025, Jankūnas will bring his urban visions to TRUE NORTH, the Earth Day showcase celebrating Nordic and Baltic arts. As part of the gallery exhibition, he plans to present selections from his latest photo series. Attendees can expect to experience the frenetic pace of the city set against a reflective, almost dreamlike framework. While nature takes center stage in many Earth Day events, Jankūnas’s work reminds us that “environment” includes the human-made landscapes we inhabit.

Vytenis Jankūnas will be one of the key visual artists at TRUE NORTH 2025, offering a unique perspective on city living. The event, held at the New York Estonian House, runs from 6:00 to 10:00 PM on Earth Day. To see Jankūnas’s dynamic, conceptual works up close, visit Nordic Artists of New York’s website for details and tickets. Get ready to view the city in an entirely new light.