A rare painting by Banksy, titled "Crude Oil (Vettriano)," sold for £4.3 million at Sotheby's Modern and Contemporary Evening Auction in London. The artwork, a satirical take on Jack Vettriano's popular painting "The Singing Butler," was previously owned by Mark Hoppus, the frontman of the band blink-182.
The painting reimagines Vettriano's beach scene with the addition of figures in hazmat suits addressing an oil spill, offering a commentary on environmental issues and capitalism. The auction coincided with the recent death of Jack Vettriano, adding another layer of significance to the sale.
While the sale price fell within the estimated range of £3 million to £5 million, it did not reach the record-breaking figures of some of Banksy's other works. Proceeds from the sale will be used by Hoppus to expand his art collection and support charities, including the California Fire Foundation.