• A rare Banksy painting, "Crude Oil (Vettriano)," will be auctioned on March 7, 2025, with an estimated price of up to $6.35 million.
• The artwork is a reimagining of Jack Vettriano’s "The Singing Butler," combining humor with themes of environmentalism.
• Mark Hoppus of blink-182 plans to use part of the sale proceeds for charities and emerging artists.
• The auction takes place at Sotheby’s in London amidst the news of Vettriano's recent passing.
• The painting features a couple dancing on a beach while hazmat-suited figures handle toxic waste.

LONDON, March 3 (Reuters) - A rare artwork by the elusive street artist Banksy, owned by Californian musician Mark Hoppus, is set to go under the hammer at Sotheby’s London on March 7, 2025, with a price estimate reaching up to $6.35 million. The piece, titled "Crude Oil (Vettriano)", is Banksy's reinterpretation of Scottish artist Jack Vettriano's iconic 1992 painting, "The Singing Butler."

Banksy's version adds a poignant environmental commentary, depicting a couple dancing gracefully on a beach, while in the background two figures clad in hazmat suits manage a barrel of toxic waste amidst a sinking oil liner. This artwork was purchased by Hoppus and his wife Skye in 2011 and was first showcased at Banksy’s landmark exhibition in Notting Hill in 2005, setting the stage for his ascent in the contemporary art world.

Mackie Hayden-Cook, a contemporary art specialist at Sotheby’s, underscores the painting's significance, stating, "It’s rare for a work of this quality to come to market, and this one really has all the best ingredients." Hoppus expressed his intentions to donate a portion of the auction proceeds to medical charities and the California Fire Foundation, aiming to reinvest into the art community, particularly supporting emerging artists.

As this artwork garners attention, the art world is also mourning the recent passing of Vettriano at the age of 73. "Like Banksy, Vettriano was popular among the masses but found himself overlooked by the traditional art establishment," Hayden-Cook remarked just before news of Vettriano's death broke.

Hoppus, aiming to embody the punk ethos of supporting fellow creators, emphasized his desire to "be a punk rock Medici," intending to reinvest into the art community. This upcoming auction presents not only a financial opportunity but also a chance to fuel artistic innovation.

For more details, check the original articles from Reuters, South China Morning Post, and Africa News.