05/20/2026
On Monday, Kessler Collins, P.C., on behalf of world-renowned artist Wyland and the Wyland Foundation, dispatched a formal Cease and Desist to 3PZ Property Company, the Dallas Convention & Visitors Bureau, the City of Dallas, and FIFA (Americas), Inc., demanding an immediate halt to the destruction of Wyland's iconic mural "Ocean Life", also known as Whaling Wall 82, located at 505 N. Akard Street in downtown Dallas.
The approximately 17,000-square-foot, eight-story mural stood for nearly three decades as a celebrated landmark in the heart of Dallas. This iconic mural and the spirit of conservation for which it stood was drowned in a sea of commercialism to facilitate FIFA World Cup 2026 promotional content. The destruction of this work occurred without Wyland's prior knowledge and express written consent—a blatant violation of federal law.
The law is clear: a property owner must obtain a written waiver from the artist before taking any action that would destroy a protected work. This obligation was ignored entirely. Whether by negligence, flagrant disregard, or both, the result is the same: an irreversible destruction of a federally protected work of art in the name of a FIFA promotional campaign.
Federal law does not yield to World Cup schedules, commercial timelines, nor the indifference of property owners. Kessler Collins intends to identify and hold accountable every party responsible.
As Wyland said: "If they can get away with it, then all the public art in Dallas and all the public art in America is at risk."
Kessler Collins stands with Wyland and intends to zealously pursue full accountability for the destruction of "Ocean Life" and to establish a precedent that protects public art across the country.
This matter is about principles of marine conservation, the integrity of public art, and the rights of artists. In that spirit, Wyland has committed any monetary recovery to the Dallas art community, conservation initiatives, and school art programs.
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