Wyland
Born
Robert Wyland (known as “Wyland”) was born on July 9, 1956, in Detroit, Michigan, USA.
Early Life
Wyland grew up in Madison Heights, Michigan, where he developed an early interest in marine life and a strong commitment to environmental conservation.
Education
Wyland attended Lamphere High School and later studied at the College for Creative Studies.
Career
Wyland is an American artist and environmental activist known for large-scale public murals depicting whales and ocean life. In 1981, he began a mission to complete 100 life-size marine murals to raise awareness about ocean conservation.
He founded the Wyland Foundation in 1993 in partnership with the United States Forest Service and NOAA, focusing on environmental education through art and science programs.
Some of his notable projects throughout his career include:
- His 25th mural “Whaling Wall” (Humpbacks) in 1990 at Lamphere High School
- The Whale Tower mural in Detroit (1997)
- The 2007 national clean water tour, “From Pike’s Peak to the Chesapeake Bay – Every Drop Counts”
- His 100th and final mural, “Hands Across the Oceans” (2008), completed in Beijing with participation from students worldwide
His work has also been recognized internationally, including collaborations and honours from major U.S. institutions and the United Nations.
Materials
Wyland works across multiple media, including painting, sculpture, and photography.
Style & Subject
His work focuses on marine life, particularly whales and ocean ecosystems. His style is characterized by large-scale, life-size depictions designed to inspire environmental awareness and appreciation for aquatic habitats.
Awards & Exhibitions
- Hands Across the Oceans mural (2008) displayed at the National Mall in Washington, D.C.
- Honoured by the National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution, White House Council on Environmental Quality, and the U.S. Department of the Interior
- In 2010, the United Nations issued international stamps featuring his artwork to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission
Wyland art for sale from The Sculpture Park is detailed below:
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Animals and Birds £1,440 inc VATTabletop Bronze Marble Aquatic Sculpture – 2 Blue Sharks by Robert Wyland, signed Wyland 1999 by Wyland (Edition of 300)
2 Blue Sharks by Robert Wyland, signed Wyland 1999, Bronze on marble plinth