Angela Vanini's 400-Euros Jobs at Manifesta 11

Angela Vanini, an Italian self-taught painter based in Germany, created the series '400-Euros Jobs' for Manifesta 11 in Zurich (2016). The series depicts her performing various part-time jobs, such as working in a factory, bar, textile lab, and cleaning stairs, all under Germany's minijob law allowing tax-free earnings up to 400 euros for 15 hours weekly. The project originated when curator Christian Jankowski asked her what she did for a living, leading her to list her jobs. Jankowski then suggested she paint herself working. Vanini revisited workplaces from ten to fifteen years ago, re-photographing herself in uniform. The series comprises twelve paintings, one per month, with a fixed vertical format. Her vigorous, vibrant style contrasts with the more sophisticated art typically seen in major exhibitions. The work explores memory, identity, and precarious labor, reflecting a realist tradition reminiscent of Caravaggio. Manifesta 11, curated by Jankowski, focused on the theme of labor.