A Banksy painting from his 2005 'Crude Oils' exhibition sold for £4.3 million ($5.5 million) at Sotheby’s Modern and Contemporary Evening Auction in London. The work, *Crude Oil (Vettriano)*, came from the collection of Mark Hoppus, co-founder of the pop-punk band Blink-182, who acquired it in 2011. The painting reimagines Jack Vettriano’s *The Singing Butler*, replacing the idyllic beach scene with environmental pollution, including hazmat-suited workers and a sinking container ship. The sale occurred shortly after Vettriano’s death at age 73.
The sale underscores the enduring market strength of Banksy’s politically charged works, particularly those from his landmark 'Crude Oils' series, which already includes two of his top five auction records. It also highlights the crossover appeal of street art to celebrity collectors like Hoppus, and the ongoing dialogue between contemporary art and popular culture. The timing, coinciding with Vettriano’s passing, adds a layer of poignancy and media attention to the transaction.