Banksy's Crude Oil Sells for £4.3 Million

A rare Banksy painting titled 'Crude Oil (Vettriano)', owned by Blink-182's Mark Hoppus, sold for £4.3 million at a Sotheby's auction in London. The artwork is Banksy's reinterpretation of Jack Vettriano's 'The Singing Butler', incorporating environmental critique elements such as hazmat-suited figures and a sinking oil liner. Hoppus, who bought the piece in 2011, plans to use part of the sale proceeds to support young artists and charities like the Children's Hospital Los Angeles and the California Fire Foundation. The painting was expected to fetch between £3 million to £5 million, underscoring its rarity and significance. This sale follows the recent death of Vettriano, the original artist who inspired Banksy's work. The artwork's sale highlights the ongoing popularity and market value of Banksy's creations, despite his outsider status in the traditional art world.