Artist sues for $25 million over destruction of Dallas whale mural

The federal lawsuit seeks at least $25 million, alleges iconic artwork was painted over without the artist's consent.

Weeks after his iconic whale mural was painted over in downtown Dallas, marine artist Robert Wyland is taking the fight to federal court.

The artist behind the mural, which had stood in downtown Dallas since 1999, filed a lawsuit Monday against FIFA, FIFA affiliates and the owners and managers of the building where the artwork stood, alleging it was destroyed without his knowledge or consent as Dallas prepared for FIFA World Cup-related activities.

The lawsuit seeks at least $25 million in damages and alleges violations of the federal Visual Artists Rights Act, a law that provides protections for certain works of visual art.

At the center of the dispute is "Ocean Life," also known as Whaling Wall 82, an approximately 17,000-square-foot mural Wyland painted in 1999 on the side of a downtown Dallas building. The mural, featuring life-sized whales and other marine life, had become a recognizable part of the city's skyline.

In a statement announcing the lawsuit, Wyland said the case is about more than the loss of a mural.

"When a recognized public artwork, a long-standing conservation message, and a familiar Dallas landmark can all be erased without warning because someone else wanted the wall for another purpose, something is wrong," Wyland said.

"The people of Dallas lived with this mural. They drove past it, photographed it, remembered it, and made it part of the city's identity. Standing up for that is a responsibility. The mural is gone, but the message does not have to be."

The lawsuit names Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA), FIFA (Americas), Inc., FWC2026 US, Inc., 3PZ Property Company, LLC and Slate Asset Management as defendants.

According to the complaint, Wyland alleges the mural was painted over without notice, consultation or consent. The allegations have not been tested in court.

In a statement provided to NBC 5, “a spokesperson for Slate Asset Management said the company was approached by Downtown Dallas Inc. and the North Texas FIFA World Cup organizing committee in March 2026 with a request to donate the wall space at 505 N. Akard St. for a new public art installation by a local Dallas artist.

The spokesperson said Slate was not compensated for the use of the wall and "was told by the local groups that Mr. Wyland had been notified."

Wyland and the Wyland Foundation said they support the excitement surrounding the 2026 FIFA World Cup but believe major international events should not come at the expense of public art.

"This should have been an opportunity to show the world that global sports, public art, and environmental stewardship can stand together," Wyland said. "Instead, a landmark was painted over. We want to do our part to make sure that what happened here does not become the standard for how public art is treated in cities across America."

In the lawsuit, Wyland seeks actual damages of no less than $25 million, along with attorneys' fees and other relief.