[9] While studying without a grant, he supported himself through part-time jobs that included being an early morning factory cleaner, evening waiter, postman and shift-work hospital porter.
[11][12] Lyons has been exhibiting his paintings since the 1960s,[3] and describes his approach to picture making by saying: "I enter into a playful dialogue with the work in which line, shape, texture and vibrant colour are brought together to inhabit a theme usually based on Caribbean folklore and mythology.
"[13][14] He was a participant in the recent exhibition No Colour Bar: Black British Art in Action 1960–1990 at the Guildhall Art Gallery (10 July 2015 to 24 January 2016), which took inspiration from the radical lives of Guyanese activists Eric and Jessica Huntley and the publishing company they founded, Bogle-L'Ouverture.
"[23] As a poet, Lyons has read his work widely, appearing at festivals within the UK and abroad,[24] and has made a number of broadcasts on radio and television, as well as featuring in audio archives.
[25] He has participated in many conferences and workshops, nationally and internationally, and over the years has received won many honours and accolades,[12] including in 2003 the Windrush Arts Achiever Award.