Blink-182’s bassist to sell Banksy painting at Sotheby’s

‘Crude Oil (Vettriano)’, owned by Blink-182’s bassist, vocalist and founding member Mark Hoppus, is set to be on view in New York and London—and will be auctioned by Sotheby’s on March 4

Sotheby’s is set to auction Banksy’s Crude Oil (Vettriano), owned by Blink-182 founding member, bassist and vocalist Mark Hoppus, in March, with an exhibition of the piece opening in New York on February 18.

The piece is from the artist’s Crude Oils series and will be on view until February 20 at Sotheby’s New York, and then at Sotheby’s London from February 26 to March 4. The artwork will then be auctioned on March 4 at Sotheby’s London’s Modern and Contemporary Evening sale, with an estimated price of £3 to 5 million (approximately HK$30 to 50 million).

Crude Oil (Vettriano) was first shown in Banksy’s landmark 2005 exhibition, Crude Oils: A Gallery of Re-mixed Masterpieces, Vandalism and Vermin, in London. It is a reimagining of the Scottish painter Jack Vettriano’s famed work The Singing Butler (1992). Banksy’s take on the piece tackles the topics of environmental issues and capitalism with his trademark humour; it features its familiar dancing couple and butler, with the addition of a sinking oil liner and two men in hazmat suits wheeling a barrel of toxic waste.

Above 'Crude Oil (Vettriano)’ by Banksy

'Crude Oil (Vettriano)’ by Banksy

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“I love Banksy’s art—the subversion, the humour, the intelligence,” says Hoppus in a press statement. The musician and his wife Skye bought the painting in 2011; they plan to donate part of the proceeds to the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, Cedars Sinai Haematology Oncology Research and the California Fire Foundation in light of the recent wildfires in their hometown of Los Angeles.

“This isn’t just an iconic Banksy; it is a Banksy that has been treasured by the music legend Mark Hoppus, who fell for this work for its rebellious spirit, raw edge and unfiltered expression,” says Oliver Barker, Sotheby’s Chairman, Europe, in a press statement. “Now, by sharing Crude Oil (Vettriano) with the world, Mark will open others’ eyes to the true power art can have; to spark conversation and challenge the way we see the world around us.”