Laugh Now
2003
Print on Paper
Banksy's iconic work ‘Laugh Now’, commissioned as a mural in Brighton, UK, features a large monochrome stencil depicting a monkey oppressed with an advertising banner. The sign expresses the monkey's aspiration to be in charge, raising questions about order and speciesism.
Banksy's use of apes symbolises the historical fear humans have harboured since Darwin's ‘Theory of Evolution’ gained popularity. Despite being our ancestors, apes are often subjected to confinement in zoos, experiments and exploited in various violent and degrading ways. The reference to the film ‘Planet of the Apes’ cannot be overlooked, as it holds significance for Banksy's generation.
In addition to the mural, the piece was reproduced as a limited edition print in 2003, with only 150 signed and 600 unsigned prints available. In 2008, the painting was sold for a record-breaking price of half a million dollars.