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Banksy Laugh Now Meaning & History
Laugh Now was originally commissioned by the Ocean Rooms nightclub in Brighton.
One of Banksy’s most famous images, Laugh Now was originally commissioned by the Ocean Rooms nightclub in Brighton. First spray as a huge, six-metre long mural, the original work showed the image of the monkey repeated to create a line as the backdrop to the bar.
Standing upright, shoulders sloped with its head hanging down, perhaps beaten into conformity, “Laugh now but one day we’ll be in charge” greets us with the evolutionary counterpoint to our concept of being human; the monkey. Nature is placed secondary to humanity as evidence of ourselves imprinted in the work through the stencil board and writing, whilst the monkey, and by extension nature, is pushed to the background and serves as a mere item on which we place our superiority and dominance over all species. Laugh Now is both provocative and comedic and the contradictory phrase is executed with typical Banksy aplomb. The mysterious text on the board suggests that the monkey is in the cusp of a revolution and ready to take control – a Planet of the Apes reference perhaps??Animals are recurring motifs that feature throughout Banksy’s oeuvre. Often used as a vehicle for commentary on both society and the place of humans, other popular examples include Love Rat, Barcode and HMV. Explore Banksy prints for sale.
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Buy or sell Laugh Now by Banksy at Andipa Editions.
Buy Laugh Now Print by Banksy
Andipa Editions, as part of Andipa, have been at the forefront of the Banksy secondary market for over 15 years. To enquire about buying a Laugh Now print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371.
Sell Laugh Now Print by Banksy
With a global network of active buyers, Andipa Editions are the place to sell your Banksy Laugh Now print. Straight-forward and stress-free, we manage the process on your behalf and help to maximise your return. For a complimentary valuation of your Laugh Now print, contact us via sales@andipa.com or on +44 (0) 20 7589 2371 or view our Banksy prints for sale and Banksy paintings for sale.