Biography
Marcus Lyon (b. 1965) is a British artist. Born and raised in rural Britain, Lyon studied Political Science at Leeds University. His early working life with Amnesty International and the International Children’s Trust in Latin America was the inspiration for his thirty-year exploration of the issues at the heart of modern society.
He has been commissioned and exhibited globally and his works and publications are held in both private and international collections including the Art Institute of Chicago, the Arts Council of Great Britain and the Smithsonian in Washington DC. In the early 90’s he founded the Glassworks, a multidisciplinary art atelier and gallery for the production of commissioned and original art. As a portrait artist he has photographed a diverse range of public figures from Queen Elizabeth II, to Bill Nighy and the last four British Prime Ministers. His images have won numerous awards and nominations including the Aesthetica Prize, Agfa Photographer of the Year, a B&H Gold, Prix Pictet and a D&AD Silver.
Outside of the art world Lyon is a determined social entrepreneur and an active public speaker on photography and development. A TED x speaker https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJKGZ_xSZ0 he has served on the boards of Somerset House and Leaders’ Ques
