A significant upcoming auction features a captivating piece by renowned street artist Banksy that carries a poignant environmental message. Valued at up to 5 million pounds ($6.3 million), the artwork titled “Crude Oil (Vettriano)” will be auctioned off next month in London, with a portion of the sale proceeds earmarked for aiding victims of the wildfires in Los Angeles.
Sotheby’s auction house disclosed details on Tuesday, indicating that the piece is part of the collection owned by Mark Hoppus, the bassist for the popular California skate-punk group Blink-182. Hoppus resonates with Banksy’s style, referring to him as a kindred spirit due to their shared appreciation for subversive art that embodies humor and intelligence. He asserted a connection between the worlds of skateboarding, punk rock, and art, highlighting the concept that those marginalized by society often create their own reality through self-expression.
Hoppus expressed his deep admiration for street art, stating, “I feel like street art and punk rock have the same core,” emphasizing a communal spirit of creativity. The artwork “Crude Oil (Vettriano)” originates from a series Banksy created in 2005, wherein he humorously reinterpreted notable paintings, including a twist on Vincent van Gogh’s “Sunflowers” and a parody of Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks.” In his distinctive style, Banksy sought to underline that the true threats to the environment stem from large corporations rather than petty vandalism or youthful indiscretions.
The piece that will be auctioned reimagines “The Singing Butler,” a famous work by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano, which depicts a couple dancing elegantly on a beach while servants hold umbrellas overhead. Banksy has incorporated elements like a submerged oil tanker and two figures carrying a barrel of hazardous waste into this reworked depiction.
Hoppus, along with his wife Skye Everly, acquired the painting in 2011 and has cherished it ever since. He describes it as unmistakably a creation of Banksy, yet distinct in its appeal, and notes that it has adorned their residences in both London and Los Angeles.
In discussing his plans for the proceeds, Hoppus indicated that he intends to invest in works by emerging artists while also contributing to charitable organizations such as the California Fire Foundation, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and Cedars Sinai Hematology Oncology Research.
Banksy, whose true identity remains a mystery, began his artistic journey by spray-painting on buildings in Bristol, England. Over the years, he has gained international recognition for his playful and critically engaging imagery, which includes iconic pieces like two male police officers engaged in a kiss and a riot police figure adorned with a yellow smiley face. Some of his artworks have fetched staggering amounts at auction, including a record-breaking sale of nearly 18.6 million pounds ($25.4 million) for “Love is in the Bin” in October 2021. This particular piece is famous for its partial self-destruction during a previous auction, triggered by a hidden shredder in its frame.
“Crude Oil (Vettriano)” will be on display at Sotheby’s in New York until Thursday and later in London from February 26 to March 4.
