Dallas World Cup Mural: Artist Wyland Says Beloved Whale Artwork Was Painted Over
The New York Times • • entertainment
Key Points:
- For over 25 years, a large mural of blue whales painted by marine artist Wyland adorned a downtown Dallas building, becoming a notable local landmark.
- Last week, the mural began to be painted over with blue paint by crews preparing the site for a new FIFA World Cup-related project, leading to the near-complete erasure of the artwork.
- Wyland expressed disappointment and frustration, stating he was unaware most of the mural would be covered and called the act a destruction of the mural's integrity.
- The mural, titled “Ocean Life,” was dedicated in 1999 and measured 82 feet high by 164 feet long, making it one of Wyland’s 103 murals worldwide.
- Wyland and his foundation have filed a cease and desist letter while assessing the situation; as of Monday, only a small portion of the mural remains visible on one side of the building.