Blink-182’s Mark Hoppus Cashing In on Banksy — Could Score Up to $6.3 Million!
Blink-182’s bassist and pop-punk icon Mark Hoppus is making waves in the art world by putting his legendary Banksy painting, “Crude Oil (Vettriano),” up for auction next month at Sotheby’s in London. This eye-catching piece, which Hoppus has cherished in his collection since 2011, might fetch a staggering $3.7 million to $6.3 million. Talk about a rockstar power move!
For the uninitiated, Banksy is the elusive British graffiti artist who’s known for flipping social commentary into street art, and “Crude Oil” is no exception. Swapping out the romanticism of Jack Vettriano’s 1992 classic “The Singing Butler,” Banksy added a twist—think evening beach attire contrasted with a sinking oil liner and men in hazmat suits hauling toxic waste on shore. Both slightly disturbing and wildly captivating, it’s art that makes you think—and probably cringe a little too.
Hoppus says he and his wife Skye fell in love with this masterpiece the moment they laid eyes on it. It not only adorned their homes in LA and London, but is also a reflection of Hoppus’s deeper appreciation for art and his passion for supporting emerging artists. When the auction goes down, expect him to roll some of those sweet proceeds into buying new works while also supporting charitable causes close to his heart, such as the California Fire Foundation and Children’s Hospital Los Angeles. Considering he beat cancer back in 2021, it’s a heartfelt gesture from the punk-rocker turned philanthropist.
Sotheby’s describes Banksy’s work as not just another pretty painting but an audacious social commentary piece that stands tall in contemporary art. It’s interesting to note that Banksy first revealed “Crude Oil” during his “Crude Oils” exhibition back in ’05, which also included cheeky interpretations of American classics like Hopper’s “Nighthawks.”
Hoppus has a unique perspective on art, comparing it to skateboarding—a nod to his roots in punk culture, where self-expression and creative grit flourish. “Street art has the same core. Punk rock. Hip hop. Skateboarding. Street art. The left out and overlooked making their own reality,” he muses, hinting at how these past experiences shaped his artistic vision. So whether you’re a die-hard Blink fan or an art aficionado, this is one auction you won’t want to miss!
Sources: Celebrity Storm Wire and People Magazine, Sotheby’s, AP News
