Laugh Now
Medium: Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Year: 2003
Sheet: 70×50 cm (27 1/2 x 19 5/8 inches)
Editions: 150 signed, 600 unsigned
Artist’s Proofs: 69 signed AP
Publisher: Pictures on Walls
Laugh Now portrays a forlorn monkey, wearing a sandwich board suggesting that he is oppressed or enslaved. Along with the rat, the monkey is one of Banksy’s most frequently used animal characters, to satirize the nature of humankind. Laugh Now could well be a criticism of the way humans have been treating animals, our primate cousins, whether poaching or capturing them for entertainment, or medical testing.
The ominous text on the board is both mocking and threatening, suggesting that the character is preparing an uprising, as if Banksy is warning of an imminent revolution. It is also the artist’s humorous take on Darwin’s theory of evolution.
107.5 x 604.5 cm (42 3/8 x 237 7/8 inches)
Laugh Now was first commissioned in 2002 by the Ocean Rooms Nightclub on Morley Street in Brighton. It was originally a six-meter-long spray-painted mural, with the figure of the monkey repeated ten times in a row to form a backdrop to the Brighton bar. Laugh Now perfectly encapsulates Banksy’s modus operandi while conjuring the dark thematic elements that underlie such a comic piece. Ten monkeys, the last only present in half its form, stand side-by-side, full frontal and unashamed to display their sandwich-board messages. Though four figures bear no words at all, six communicate a very specific memo: “Laugh now, but one day we’ll be in charge.” The spare black spray paint upon the bleached white board lends the normally mischievous primates a sinister air, their expressions eliminated in a hyper-saturation of darkness. It is as if Banksy has multiplied their numbers into something resembling an army, daring observers to take pleasure in their misfortune.
Auction Market Overview
Laugh Now (unsigned)
2026 Auction Results
Forum Auctions: 19 March 2026
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 15,000
GBP 11,500 (Hammer)
GBP 15,148 / USD 20,255
BANKSY (b.1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
Printed and published by Pictures on Walls, London
Heritage Auctions: 29 January 2026
No Estimates Received – No Reserve
USD 33,750
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2017
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Edition: 160/600
Numbered in pencil lower right
2025 Auction Results
Deutscher and Hackett: 26 November 2025
Estimated: AUD 30,000 – 40,000
AUD 36,818 / USD 23,830
BANKSY (British, born 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on paper
Edition: 468/600
Numbered below image lower right
Published by Pictures on Walls, London
Christie’s London: 30 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 18,000
GBP 15,240 / USD 20,485
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 272/600 in pencil (there was also a signed edition of 150)
Sotheby’s London: 24 September 2025
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 19,050 / USD 25,630
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 76/600
2024 Auction Results
Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 25,000
GBP 20,400 / USD 27,152
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 554/600 DN
Forum Auctions: 30 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 15,000 – 20,000
GBP 13,000 (HAMMER)
GBP 17,420 / USD 21,775
BANKSY (b.1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600
Rosebery’s London: 23 April 2024
Estimated: GBP 12,000 – 15,000
GBP 26,240 / USD 32,800
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on paper
Numbered 493/600
2023 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2023 for a total turnover of GBP 280,159 (USD 345,724), at an average price of GBP 40,023 (USD 49,389). It sold for its highest price in 2023 at Phillips in London on 19 January 2023 for GBP 75,600 (USD 92,988).
LA Modern: 12 October 2023
Estimated: USD 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 22.789 / USD 27,720
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint on wove paper
Numbered 281/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 20,000 – 30,000
GBP 31,750 / USD 38,620
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered in pencil 406/600
Roseberys London: 5 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 20,800 / USD 26,166
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove
Numbered in pencil 302/600 DN in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 50,800 / USD 63,238
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 546/600 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
Christie’s online: 14 March 2023
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 40,320 / USD 49,594
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003-2004
Numbered 457/600 in pencil, lower right
Phillips London: 23 January 2023
Estimated: GBP 25,000 – 35,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 92,988
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR LAUGH NOW (UNSIGNED) IN 2023
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 325/600 in pencil, lower right
2022 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 6 times at auction in 2022 for a total turnover of GBP 310,876 (USD 390,112) at an average price of GBP 51,813 (USD 65,019). It sold for its highest price in 2022 of GBP 56,280 (USD 76,541) at Forum Auctions on 3 March 2022.
Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 24,000 – 35,000
GBP 37,800 / USD 45,360
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 172/600 in pencil, lower right
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered and inscribed 264/600 DN in pencil, lower right
Forum Auctions: 3 March 2022
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 50,000
GBP 42,000 (Hammer)
GBP 56,280 / USD 76,541
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR LAUGH NOW (UNSIGNED) IN 2022
BANKSY (b.1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from the edition of 600
2021 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 7 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 406,540 (USD 560,931) at an average price of GBP 58,077 (USD 80,133). It sold for its highest price in 2021 of GBP 68,750 (USD 95,563) at Tate Ward Auctions on 24 March 2021.
Tate Ward Auctions: 17 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 40,000
GBP 43,750 / USD 59,063
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
Bonhams London: 11 November 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 60,250 / USD 81,338
Screenprint in colors
Numbered 341/600 in pencil
Tate Ward Auctions: 29 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 48,300 / USD 67,137
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
Christie’s online: 23 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 56,250 / USD 78,188
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 468/600 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 35,000 – 45,000
GBP 56,700 / USD 78,813
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 522/600
Forum Auctions: 23 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 51,000 (Hammer)
GBP 68,340 / USD 94,993
BANKSY (b.1974)
Laugh Now (DN) (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Inscribed DN and numbered from the edition of 600 in pencil
Tate Ward Auctions: 24 March 2021
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 68,750 / USD 95,563
HIGHEST PRICE PAID AT AUCTION FOR LAUGH NOW (UNSIGNED) IN 2021
Banksy (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered from an edition of 600 in pencil
2020 Auction Results
Laugh Now (unsigned) sold 10 times at auction in 2020 for a total turnover of GBP 643,974 (USD 804,941) at an average price of GBP 64,397 (USD 80,494). It sold for its highest price in 2021 of GBP 68,750 (USD 95,563) at Tate Ward Auctions on 24 March 2021.
Phillips Hong-Kong: 4 December 2020
Estimated: HKD 120,000 – 180,000
HKD 882,000 / USD 113,645 / GBP 84,810
AUCTION RECORD FOR LAUGH NOW (UNSIGNED)
BANKSY
Laugh Now (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered ‘279/600’ lower right
Sotheby’s online: 26 March 2020
Estimated: GBP 8,000 – 12,000
GBP 30,000 / USD 36,368
BANKSY (b.1974)
LAUGH NOW (unsigned), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Numbered 433/600
Laugh Now (signed)
2025 Auction Results
Tate Ward: 10 December 2025
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 47,500 / USD 63,510
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink
Numbered from an edition of 150 in pencil
Published by Pictures On Walls
2024 Auction Results
Tate Ward Auctions: 11 December 2024
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 51,250 / USD 66,625
BANKSY (British 1974-)
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and numbered 13/150 in pencil
Christie’s online: 1 October 2024
Estimated: GBP 40,000 – 60,000
GBP 50,400 / USD 67,032
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered 59/150 in pencil
Sotheby’s online: 26 September 2024
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 60,000 / USD 79,860
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in black ink, dated and numbered in pencil 31/150
2023 Auction Results
Sotheby’s London: 26 September 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
GBP 76,200 / USD 92,689
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in black ink, dated and numbered in pencil 45/150
Forum Auctions: 30 August 2023
Estimated: GBP 50,000 – 70,000
HAMMER GBP 46,000
GBP 61,640 / USD 78,420
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink
Numbered in pencil from the edition of 150
Sotheby’s online: 20 April 2023
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 76,200 / USD 94,857
HIGHEST PRICE PAID FOR LAUGH NOW (SIGNED) IN 2023
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed with a gift, heart and peace symbol, lower left
Aside from the signed and numbered edition of 150
2022 Auction Results
Sotheby’s online: 17 August 2022
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 75,600 / USD 90,720
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed AP), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, lower right
Inscribed AP/15 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp, lower right
SBI Art Auction: 12 March 2022
Estimated: JPY 8,000,000 – 14,000,000
JPY 15,525,000 / USD 132,319 / GBP 100,242
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint
Signed, dated and numbered on the lower right
From the edition of 150
2021 Auction Results
Laugh Now (signed) sold 7 times at auction in 2021 for a total turnover of GBP 941,200 (USD 1,315,114), at an average price of GBP 134,457 (USD 187,873). It sold at Bonhams in London, on 25 February 2021, for GBP 200,250 (USD 282,719), its world record price at auction.
Christie’s online: 23 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 80,000 – 120,000
GBP 100,000 / USD 139,000
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003-2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated 04 in black ink, numbered 122/150 in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp
Sotheby’s online: 17 September 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 100,800 / USD 140,112
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, inscribed ‘4 BRENDAN’ and with a peace symbol
Aside from the numbered edition of 150
Bonhams online: 29 June 2021
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 100,000
GBP 100,250 / USD 138,661
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered 85/150 in pencil with the publisher’s blindstamp
Estimated: GBP 70,000 – 90,000
GBP 151,200 / USD 214,704
BANKSY
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on buff wove paper
Signed and dated in black ink, and numbered 56/150 in pencil
Christie’s online: 1 April 2021
Estimated: GBP 120,000 – 180,000
GBP 137,500 / USD 189,750
BANKSY (B. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2003
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, numbered 142/150, with the publisher’s blindstamp
Estimated: GBP 30,000 – 50,000
GBP 151,200 / USD 214,704
BANKSY (b. 1974)
Laugh Now (signed), 2004
Screenprint in colors on wove paper
Signed in pencil, dated, numbered 76/150
Bonhams London: 25 February 2021
Estimated: GBP 60,000 – 80,000
GBP 200,250 / USD 282,719
WORLD AUCTION RECORD FOR LAUGH NOW (SIGNED)
Screenprint in colors on wove
Signed and dated in black ink, numbered ’86/150′ in pencil, with the publisher’s blindstamp