A rare Banksy painting, Crude Oil (Vettriano), will be auctioned in London on March 4 with an estimated value of up to £5 million. The piece, previously owned by Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus, will also support charities aiding fire victims and medical causes.
A significant Banksy artwork is set to be auctioned in London on March 4, with an estimated value ranging from £3 million to £5 million (approximately €3.6 million to €6 million), according to an announcement made by Sotheby’s on Tuesday.
The piece, titled Crude Oil (Vettriano), and sometimes referred to as Toxic Beach, is part of the private collection of Mark Hoppus, the co-founder of the famous punk band Blink-182. Hoppus, along with his wife, acquired the painting in 2011, as revealed by a statement from Sotheby’s.
Before the auction, the painting will be displayed at Sotheby’s New York gallery from February 18 to 20, and will then move to London for the auction house’s pre-sale exhibition, running from February 26 to March 4.
In a statement, Mark Hoppus shared his deep connection with the artwork, stating, “We loved this painting the moment we saw it. Undeniably Banksy, yet different… This painting has meant so much to us and has been such an extraordinary part of our lives. Now I’m excited for it to be out in the world, seen by as many people as possible.”
Crude Oil (Vettriano), first exhibited in 2005, is a reworking of Jack Vettriano’s iconic 1992 painting Singing Butler, which shows a couple dancing on a beach buffeted by wind, accompanied by a butler and maid struggling to hold their umbrellas. In Banksy’s version, the maid is replaced by two men dressed in hazmat suits, loading a barrel of toxic waste onto the beach, adding the artist’s characteristic commentary on environmental and societal issues.
Part of the proceeds from the auction will go to support two medical charities based in Los Angeles, as well as the California Fire Foundation, an organization that has been crucial in the aftermath of the recent devastating wildfires in the state. This charitable aspect adds further depth to the sale, underlining the cultural relevance of Banksy’s work and his ongoing involvement in social causes.
With AFP
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