Danny Lyon
American, born 1942
Danny Lyon grew up in Queens. Inspired by Jack Kerouac's On the Road, he left home at 20 and hitchhiked across the South. While still a student at the University of Chicago he became the first staff photographer of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC), and his photographs were included in the book The Movement. He returned to Chicago in 1964 and joined the Chicago Outlaw Motorcycle Club. His two-year stint with the club resulted in the critically acclaimed book, The Bikeriders.
In 1967 Lyon obtained access to the Texas prison system and produced the series Conversations with the Dead. On completing his prison work Lyon returned to New York, where he met the photographer and filmmaker Robert Frank. Together they formed a company called Sweeney Films. In 1970 Lyon moved to New Mexico, and then to Upstate New York in 1987.
Explore Selected Works
See all 18 works of artArtwork

Lowell and Friend, Placencia, Belize
Lowell and Friend, Placencia, Belize
Danny Lyon · 1994 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2015.19.4475
Artwork

Potosí, Bolivia
Potosí, Bolivia
Danny Lyon · 1980 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2015.19.4470
Artwork

Gloria, Santa Marta, Colombia
Gloria, Santa Marta, Colombia
Danny Lyon · 1972, printed 1980 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2015.19.4469
Artwork

Entering Prison
Entering Prison
Danny Lyon · 1968, printed 1971 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2001.67.140
Artwork

Six Wing Cell Block, Ramsey Prison Texas
Six Wing Cell Block, Ramsey Prison Texas
Danny Lyon · 1968, printed 1995 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2015.19.5226
Artwork

Ellis Prison Shakedown
Ellis Prison Shakedown
Danny Lyon, Magnum Photos · 1968, printed 1970 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2001.67.139
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Gaucho Field Meet, Chicago
Gaucho Field Meet, Chicago
Danny Lyon · 1966 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2000.27.1
Artwork

Crossing the Ohio River, Louisville
Crossing the Ohio River, Louisville
Danny Lyon, Magnum Photos · 1966, printed 1990 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2015.19.4471
Artwork

Racers, McHenry, Illinois
Racers, McHenry, Illinois
Danny Lyon, Magnum Photos · 1965 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2001.67.138
Artwork

Benny, Grand and Division, Chicago
Benny, Grand and Division, Chicago
Danny Lyon, Magnum Photos · 1965 · gelatin silver print · Accession ID 2001.67.137