Florida-based artist Robert Wyland, known simply as Wyland, was recently in his studio in the Florida Keys, painting and sculpting vibrant aquatic scenes, when his assistant delivered shocking news. Wyland, 69, is famous for his "whaling walls"—larger-than-life murals across the US and abroad that depict ocean life. In the late 1990s, he painted "Ocean Life" on a building in Dallas, Texas. At 82 feet tall, it was among his favorites. Over the years, the mural aged, and Wyland planned to restore it. But then he learned it had been painted over to make way for a Fifa World Cup promotion.
The Legal Battle
Wyland filed a cease and desist and later a lawsuit against Fifa, seeking $25 million in damages. The lawsuit cites the Visual Artists Rights Act (VARA) of 1990, which protects artists of "recognized stature" from destruction of their work. Wyland says he will donate any proceeds to charity. "This is a David and Goliath thing," Wyland said. "They are a multi-billion dollar organization, and I am a single artist. But they picked the wrong artist and the wrong artwork."
Outcry and Blame
The mural's destruction sparked widespread outcry. The North Texas World Cup Organizing Committee, the city of Dallas, and Fifa have all deflected blame. Emails obtained by the Dallas Morning News show a Downtown Dallas Inc. employee called the Wyland mural "past its useful life." Wyland countered, "Is the Mona Lisa beyond its usable life?"
Wyland hopes to expose who made the decision. "Fifa needs to come clean," he said. "They're responsible. Does that pass the smell test?"
Wyland's Legacy
Wyland's fascination with ocean life began at age 14 on a family trip to Laguna Beach, California, where he saw grey whales migrating. He painted his first whaling wall in 1981 and completed 100 murals over 26 years. His work spans 17 countries. The Dallas mural was one of his favorites, and its loss is deeply personal. "These walls are like my kids," Wyland said. "This is really, really personal."
Work on the replacement mural has stopped. Wyland says he likely won't repaint the wall due to his age. The lawsuit continues, aiming to protect artists' rights and public art.
