Artist Robert Wyland has filed a $25 million lawsuit against FIFA and other parties for allegedly violating his rights by painting over his mural in Dallas, Texas, to promote the 2026 World Cup.
The mural, known as Whaling Wall 82, depicted life-sized swimming whales and covered approximately 1,580 square meters (17,000 square feet) across two walls. Wyland claims that the mural was painted over without his consent and without notifying him, which he argues is a violation of the Visual Artists Rights Act, enacted in 1990 to protect artists from the destruction of publicly displayed works.
In his lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court in Dallas, Wyland states that the actions of FIFA, the building’s owner, and the management company “hastily and irrevocably destroyed a civic landmark” for World Cup promotion. He asserts that while FIFA claimed to be developing art for the host city, they effectively defaced an important cultural fixture.
The mural had stood for nearly three decades before being painted over last month, prompting criticism from residents who appreciated its scale and message of ocean conservation. The local World Cup organizing committee announced plans for new artwork that reflects the spirit of the World Cup while stating that part of Wyland’s mural would be preserved.
A FIFA spokesperson clarified that the organization had “no involvement in this whatsoever” and directed inquiries to the local organizing committee. In a statement, Slate Asset Management, which manages the building, indicated that local World Cup organizers requested the mural space for a new public art installation and stated that they were not compensated for its use.
Dallas is set to host nine World Cup matches, more than any other site in the event co-hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Wyland’s mural, completed in 1999, is part of over 100 similar murals he has painted worldwide to promote ocean conservation.
An online petition opposing the mural’s destruction has garnered more than 2,600 signatures, advocating for the protection of public artwork in Dallas.
Source: www.aljazeera.com via Google News.
