Michael Lyons: Freeze Frame, at the Stanley and Audrey Burton Gallery, explores Lyons’ sculptural practice and work during the 1970s through framed drawings, maquettes, archive photographs, newspaper clippings and the sculptures themselves. Lyons’ work takes inspiration from the industrial and mechanical as the studies, which line the walls of the gallery space, clearly show. These studies and sketches give a valuable insight into the process and methods which lead to larger works which are dotted around the room.
Visitors entering the main temporary exhibition space are greeted with the first of Lyons’ sculptures, the playful Elindor (1970) which acts as as introduction to the era and the work Lyons produced. Elindor’s cogs and straight lines mixed with curves and jagged angles recall a Caractacus Potts invention from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. This playful and delightful piece also evokes feelings of unease from first look through the deployment and strength of the materials. As visitors explore the room it becomes clear that this style sums up a decade of Lyons’ sculptural practice and that the ordering of work around the space, by guest curator Dr Judith LeGrove, is perfectly placed to tell the story.
Michael Lyons’ industrial sculpture work is no stranger to the University campus. Lyons’ Lenton Cover, a monumental gateway created from scrap yard sourced steel in 1979, stands on the southern side of campus by the business school. This is one of Lyons’ most impressive works from the period and a trip to the other side of campus to visit Lenton Cover would be the perfect way to round off your visit.
In the small corridor which connects the Gallery’s permanent exhibition to the temporary space is a glass cabinet containing photographs and newspaper clippings documenting Lyons’ life during the late 60s and 70s, including his involvement with opening Yorkshire Sculpture Park. Lyons believed in the importance in displaying large sculptural works in outdoor exhibitions which is shown in images from the Serpentine, Whitworth and YSP. An interactive screen also provides visitors with an insight into Lyons’ sculptural work abroad, including personal family photographs.
Michael Lyons: Freeze Frame will run until Saturday 9th July 2016, open Monday-Saturday 10am-5pm. Admission is free.
Hayley Reid
Image courtesy of Michael Lyons (Lenten Cover, 1979)