Blink-182 Cofounder Mark Hoppus to Sell Banksy’s ‘Crude Oil (Vettriano)’ at Sotheby’s Auction House, London

The art world is abuzz with excitement as Banksy’s iconic piece “Crude Oil (Vettriano)” approaches the auction block at Sotheby’s on the 4th March 2025, with an estimated value of £3-5 million. This stunning work is not only treasured for its subversive themes but also for its association with Mark Hoppus, the founding member of the legendary pop-punk band blink-182.

A Iconic Painting with a Meaningful Legacy

Banksy’s reinterpretation of Jack Vettriano’s ‘The Singing Butler’ takes a poignant turn, moving away from the original romantic depiction of a couple dancing on the beach alongside their maid and butler. Instead, Banksy emphasizes pressing contemporary issues like environmental degradation and pollution. By replacing the maid with two men in hazmat suits transporting toxic waste, he powerfully critiques the ongoing environmental crises we continue to confront today. This subversion not only alters the painting’s narrative but also serves as a stark reminder of the impact of human activity on our planet.

The Artistic Brilliance of Banksy and His ‘Crude Oils’ Paintings. Image © Banksy

‘The Singing Butler’ is a famous oil-on-canvas artwork created by Scottish artist Jack Vettriano. It was first showcased in 1992 during his inaugural London exhibition named ‘God’s Children’, where it sold for £1,800. The painting drew considerable attention when it was auctioned at Sotheby’s in 2004, fetching £744,500, which set a record for both any Scottish painting and any artwork sold in Scotland at that time. Its popularity is further highlighted by its title as the best-selling art print in the UK.

The ‘singing Butler’ by Jack Vettriano. Image Copyright Jack Vettriano

Banksy’s iconic reinterpretation piece “Crude Oil (Vettriano)” was displayed at Banksy’s ‘Crude Oils’ exhibition in Notting Hill in 2005. The exhibition also featured a wilted version of Van Gogh’s Sunflowers, a take on Hopper’s Nighthawks with a topless boxer smashing a bar window, and Show Me the Monet, a satirical interpretation of Monet’s Japanese footbridge. Through these hijacked traditional oil paintings, Banksy addressed relevant social issues with a twist, using Vettriano’s work alongside Van Gogh and Monet to challenge the rigidity of the art world and its gatekeepers. Read more in our blog here.

Banksy, Show me the Monet, Auction Result. Image © Sotheby’s Auction House.

Blink-182 Cofounder Mark Hoppus and his wife acquired ‘Crude Oil (Vettriano)’ in 2011 and has held a special place in their family’s life. “It hung over the table in London where we ate breakfast and our son did his homework,” Hoppus reflected, emphasising the painting’s intimate presence in their home.

Mark Hoppus. Credit Max Montgomery

Supporting Emerging Artists

Mark Hoppus and his wife, Skye, plan to use part of the proceeds from the auction of Banksy’s ‘Crude Oil (Vettriano)’ to expand their art collection by supporting emerging artists. Embracing the punk rock ethos of community, Mark Hoppus remarked, “If you get lucky enough to gain success, you bring your friends with you,” expressing his desire to invest in young emerging talent.

An Auction with Purpose

Mark Hoppus plans to allocate a portion of the auction proceeds to support two medical charities in Los Angeles, specifically the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles and Cedars Sinai Haematology Oncology Research. Additionally, in light of the recent devastation caused by wildfires in the region, part of the funds will continue to benefit the California Fire Foundation.

Image courtesy Sothebys

Interestingly enough, artist Mason Storm executed the painting for Banksy, and he has since independently produced ‘Toxic Beach’, a limited edition of 100, signed by himself, Mason Storm as the artist, and not Banksy.

Comments

comments