Jeff Dunas – Photography: American Pictures & State of the Blues

The Amerikahaus Munich is presenting an exhibition of photographs by American photographer Jeff Dunas, which consciously focuses on the United States and what constitutes its foundation: its people.

The focus is on works from the American Pictures series, which were created over several decades. Dunas photographs in cities and small towns, in urban peripheral zones as well as in rural areas. His motifs are not icons or staged scenes - they are encounters. People in everyday life, in moments of waiting, of pausing, of taking things for granted. The photographs appear calm, almost withdrawn, and have a lasting effect precisely because of this. They show an America characterized by diversity, individual freedom and social movement.

Dunas is not interested in spectacle, but in presence and dignity. His images tell of a country made up of many voices - of different social realities, cultural backgrounds and lifestyles. Even though many of these photographs were taken decades ago, they speak directly to the present. They remind us that America is more than political headlines or institutional power. It is a web of stories, hopes, ruptures and new beginnings.

This part of the exhibition is complemented by photographs from the State of the Blues series. In haunting black and white portraits, Dunas documents the central personalities of a musical tradition that stands for cultural innovation, resilience and creative renewal like no other. The blues is more than music - it is an expression of historical experience, especially African-American history, and at the same time one of the pillars of modern American culture. Dunas' portraits combine artistic intensity with documentary accuracy and reveal how closely society and culture are interwoven.

Together, the two groups of works paint a multi-layered picture of the United States: an America of people, music and diversity - characterized by renewal, creativity and the constant negotiation of identity. With this exhibition, the Amerikahaus Munich invites visitors to enter into conversation about American society, cultural heritage and current perspectives - openly, in a differentiated way and in dialog.

Admission: Free admission. Prior registration is not necessary.

Opening: The vernissage is on Friday, March 20, 2026, 7 pm

Duration: The exhibition is open from Saturday, March 21, 2026, to Friday, July 31, 2026.

Opening hours:
Monday to Thursday 10 am - 5 pm
Friday 2 - 6 p.m.
Saturday 10 am - 6 pm
The exhibition is closed on Sundays and public holidays.

Other opening hours may apply during events. Please check the website of the Amerikahaus before visiting.

Organizer: Stiftung Bayerisches Amerikahaus, ARTOLOGY - Magazine & Gallery for Art, Travel & Creativity

Supported by the Federal Foreign Office