EURO COLLECTION: 6 colours – FIVE EURO GREY to TWO HUNDRED EURO BROWN 2022-24

Janine Mackenroth – Nail Polish Edition (2022–2024)

Between 2022 and 2024, Janine Mackenroth developed her Nail Polish Edition, a series of plant-based nail polishes that merge themes of sustainability, equality, and the questioning of traditional gender roles. Produced in Germany and made from 90% plant-derived ingredients, each 10ml bottle transcends the boundaries between cosmetic product and conceptual artwork, inviting reflection on both the materiality of art and the societal codes embedded in color and self-presentation.

Up to now, Mackenroth released a palette inspired by the distinct hues of Euro banknotes:

FIVE EURO GREY – the subdued grey of the €5 bill

TEN EURO RED – the vibrant red of the €10 bill

TWENTY EURO BLUE – the clear blue of the €20 bill

FIFTY EURO ORANGE – the warm orange of the €50 bill

ONE HUNDRED EURO GREEN – the rich green of the €100 bill

TWO HUNDRED EURO BROWN – the earthy brown of the €200 bill

Entirely 100% wearable, these colours function as artworks designed for daily life – turning nails into portable, living canvases. By translating the chromatic codes of currency into an object historically associated with femininity and beauty norms, Mackenroth playfully subverts cultural expectations while raising questions about value – economic, aesthetic, and social. The work operates both as a critique and a celebration: a sustainable product, a conceptual artwork, and an invitation to wear and reflect upon the colors of money.

The next colour in the series – inspired by the 500 € bill – will be released soon, expanding the conceptual and chromatic scope of the project.