Laugh Now but One Day We'll Be in Charge: Banksy and 21st Century Editions
LONDON – Christie’s ‘Laugh now but one day we'll be in charge: Banksy and 21st Century Editions’ online sale is open for bidding from 1 March - 15 March. This new auction is cheekily titled in reference to Banksy’s Laugh Now screenprint. The sale will predominantly feature works by Banksy, alongside editions created in the 21st century by both well-known and up and coming contemporary artists. Banksy’s Morons (Sepia) - Outside of the edition (2007, estimate £50,000-70,000, illustrated above left) is part of this offering, the source image of this work is a photograph of the record-breaking sale of Vincent van Gogh’s Sunflowers at Christie’s in 1987, with van Gogh’s canvas replaced by Banksy’s text. Interestingly, this particular impression has extra areas of colour that are not often seen. Another highlight by Banksy is Choose your Weapon (VIP Gold) (2010, estimate: £200,000-300,000), the first time a gold colourway of this work has come up at auction. The auction is led by the artist’s most famous image Girl with Balloon (2004, estimate: £300,000-500,000).
There are editions included from the street artist Stik, among them Lovers (Yellow) (2011, estimate: £20,000-30,000, illustrated above right) which typically has a blue background, however this is one of four in yellow and the first time one of this colour is coming up at auction. Stik’s Beggar (2009, estimate: £15,000-25,000) is one of an edition of 25 spray painted woodcuts, that were originally dropped around the streets of London as part of an effort to bring attention to rough sleeping and homelessness. This edition was gifted directly to someone who helped Stik with the distribution of these works. There are also two different colourways of editions by Yayoi Kusama, Pumpkin 2000 (red) (2000, estimate: £20,000-30,000) and Pumpkin 2000 (Yellow) (2000, estimate: £15,000-25,000), the first time the yellow edition has come up for auction at Christie’s.
Highlights from up and coming artists include, Jon Key’s figurative work, The Man in the Violet Suit (Red No.1) (2021) (2021, estimate: £3,000-5,000) and Tunji Adeniyi-Jones vibrantly colourful, Pattern Makers, (2020, estimate: £2,000-3,000).
