In the hit song “All Around the World,” Oasis posed a question that might now have an answer in the form of high-priced art. Could it be the art market where you’ll swim with the riches found? Perhaps by acquiring a portrait of Noel and Liam Gallagher from their heyday, valued between £1.5m to £2m.
Sotheby’s has revealed plans to feature a 1996 painting by Elizabeth Peyton in its June contemporary art auction in London. This particular piece by Peyton, which captures the essence of the Gallagher brothers, is set to create quite the ripple at the auction event.
The artwork draws inspiration from a 1995 photograph taken by Stefan De Batselier, the same year a notorious incident involving a cricket bat is said to have occurred between the two brothers. The painting, according to Antonia Gardner, a Sotheby’s specialist, encapsulates the brothers’ subtle tension, indicating a prophetic insight into their future.
Gardner also highlighted the ethereal beauty conveyed in Peyton’s portrait, noting the artist’s knack for fashionable youthfulness. Peyton tends to soften the edgy, masculine allure of celebrity pop stars with delicate touches such as bright red lips and softly serene aspects.
In the year the painting was created, 1996, Oasis was at the zenith of their success, with monumental live concerts at Knebworth Park, which were emblematic of Britpop’s peak era. This summer, after sixteen years of separation, the band is reuniting for UK and Ireland concerts, and much like their previous ventures, demand for tickets far exceeds availability. This renewal of interest underscores the band’s lasting influence and cultural significance.
Ticket prices for 2025 stand in stark contrast to the £22.50 charged at Knebworth, with some fans reportedly paying up to £350 for a £150 ticket due to “dynamic” pricing practices.
Antonia Gardner has termed this moment as “full circle” for the painting’s reappearance, marking the opportune timing with the band’s comeback. This high-profile auction piece, along with Peyton’s celebrated portrayal of musicians such as John Lennon, Keith Richards, and Kurt Cobain, establishes her as a significant figure of the 1990s art scene.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jun/13/noel-liam-gallagher-oasis-elizabeth-peyton-painting-auction
