Michael Lyons was born in Bilston, Staffordshire in 1943 and was educated at Cotton College, North Staffordshire before completing his education at Wolverhampton College of Art (1959-63) Hornsey College of Art (1963-64) and the University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne (1964 -7).
Though knowledgeable about a range of media, Lyons worked exclusively in steel for many years and during the 70's he became known for large scale works using 'drawn' and 'found' elements, including ship's plate from Hull trawlers. The Heights of David purchased by the Arts Council in 1976 exemplified this work.
From 1989 - 1993, Lyons was employed as Head of Sculpture at Manchester Metropolitan University. Then, in 1993 was named Guest Professor at China National Academy, where he introduced steel sculpture into the curriculum. The formal strength of his sculpture is complemented by references to many sources: landscape, the forces of nature, art history, and mythology - and possess sensitivity to place and setting, however since 1993 much of his work has been related to the philosophy and visual stimuli of his time in China.
Lyons has produced numerous hand sized sculptures in wax and clay, which can be translated into large scale works in steel or bronze or exist as small sculptures in their own right. His monumental works retain a scale relevant to the human being - they do not overpower, but attempt to provide an experience of grandeur tempered by humanity. In some works like the huge constructed copper Lake Afire, (Hangzhou Government 2000), the spectator can enter the work, which provides a bridge between sculpture, architecture and environment, while resonating with poetic reference.
Today, Lyons works range from small scale and medium pieces to monumental works, and since the late 90's he has expanded his use of materials to include brass, bronze, clay, copper and stainless steel. In some cases he combines more than one material in a single work or related groups. His exploration of steel has further developed since first visiting Mexico in 2004, and attending the XIII Symposium of Stainless Steel Sculpture in Tultepec. Lyons has created many monumental works in this medium, which has been used in a direct, almost organic manner, making use of light to activate the surface. The festivals, culture and exotic nature of Mexico have had a profound affect on his work.
Drawing in pen, ink, and acrylic have always been an important part of his practice. Calligraphic drawings in ink on Chinese Xuan paper were produced at Redgate Gallery Residencies in 2001/2 and at Shanghai Sculpture Park in 2009. Working in this medium became particularly relevant in 2010 when Lyons became seriously ill. During the process of rehabilitation he began a series of sketchbook drawings in gel pen, crayons and colured pens entitled The Angels of Buenos Aires relating to his interest in the recent history of Argentina, but also reflecting the intensity of his own path to recovery. These drawings abound with new ideas for sculpture that have yet to find a form.
Most recently, Lyons has been involved in an ongoing series of over thirty related sculptures based on the stars and constellations, drawing on the mythologies of Mexico, China, Egypt and Greece. These works have been refined over a period of ten years, through a continual process of change and alteration in meaning and have produced a 'backdrop' against which his other work in the UK and abroad has been set.
Michael Lyons lives and works in Yorkshire.
Throughout his career, Lyons has won various accolades. In 1966, he featured in the Young Contemporaries in London and won a Peter Stuyvesant Prize at the 1967 Northern Young Contemporaries in Manchester. He was named Vice-President of the Royal British Society of Sculptors in 1994, remaining in this post until 1997, going on to hold a 20 Year Survey show in 1998 at the Yorkshire Sculpture Park (of which he was a Founding Member). While working at the Li Gang Bronze Foundry in Beijing in 2003, he won the Yuzi Prize (1st prize) at the 1st Guilin Yuzi Paradise Sculpture Awards. In 2006 he won the 'Premio Fondo Nacional de las Artes' at Chaco Biennale, Argentina and was given an Arts Council Award to visit Buenos Aires and Iguazu Falls on the borders of Argentina, Brazil and Paraguay.
Michael Lyons is included in 'Artists' Lives' at the Henry Moore Institute, as part of the 'National Life Stories' oral history scheme.
Since 2000, Lyons' permanently sited works include the University of Guadalajara, Mexico (2006); City of Comitan, Chiapas, Mexico (2006); 'Parque Bicentenario', Metepec, Mexico (2010); Jerwood Sculpture Park, UK (2005) The Urunday Foundation, Resistencia, Argentina (2006) Shanghai Sculpture Park, China (2011). He has held Solo Exhibitions including the Whitworth Art Gallery, Manchester (2003-4); The Royal British Society of Sculptors (2009). He has participated in Group Exhibitions including 'Open 10' Venice, Italy (2007); 'Strategies of Form: Steel Sculpture' MARCO, Monterrey, Mexico (2009) and 'The Fitzwilliam Sculpture Promenade', University of Cambridge (2010/11)