Artist Sues FIFA Over Destruction of Dallas Whale Mural

Artist Sues FIFA and Others Over Mural Destruction

A US artist, Robert Wyland, has filed a $25m lawsuit against FIFA and other defendants in US District Court in Dallas. The lawsuit claims that the organization and building owners illegally painted over Wyland’s life-sized swimming whales mural without his consent or notification.

The 1,580sq metre (17,000sq ft) mural, titled Whaling Wall 82, was hand-painted by Wyland on two walls of a building in downtown Dallas. The artist alleges that World Cup organizers, the building’s owner, and management company destroyed the mural without following the Visual Artists Rights Act of 1990.

The law protects artwork of “recognized stature” even if someone else owns the physical artwork. Wyland is seeking at least $25m in damages for what he claims was a violation of this law.

FIFA has denied any involvement in the destruction, stating that they have no connection to the matter. The building’s management company claims that local World Cup organizers asked them to donate the mural space for a new public art installation, and that Wyland had been notified about the plans.

The area where the mural was located will host more World Cup matches than any other site in the event. An online petition has been started to protest the destruction of the mural and advocate for the protection of public artwork in Dallas.

Source: Al Jazeera