Ex-Geelong mayor, ‘Mr Paparazzi’ Darryn Lyons selling off wild celebrity art collection

Colourful former Geelong mayor and paparazzi boss Darryn Lyons is selling more than 200 pieces of art, including a throne inspired by Michael Jackson and his chimp Bubbles, as he becomes a world traveller.

Darryn Lyons in Europe. Source: Instagram

Colourful former mayor of Geelong and the self described “godfather” of Australia paparazzi, Darryn Lyons is offloading more that 200 pieces of art and collectables as he becomes a ‘world traveller.’

Lyons became a huge player in the paparazzi photography space when the Aussie set up Big Pictures agency in London in the 1990s and spent years on the tail of stars, capturing off duty and unguarded moments, with his photos feeding a global craving for celebrity content.

He returned to Australia when the photo market tightened up and went onto become Geelong mayor from 2013 to 2016.

In recent years he has been based in Queensland. Now in his nomad phase.

Speaking from Italy, Lyons said he was in the process of decluttering his life and appreciating his opportunities after the death of both his parents.

Darryn Lyons in Italy in September 2024. Picture: Instagram

He has no plans to return to Australia. Picture: Instagram

He said he had no plans to return to Australia.

Part of the decluttering is selling some of his collection of photographs, prints, artworks and furniture. The Darryn Lyons collection of 247 pieces will be auctioned by Gibson’s on September 24.

“You only have so many walls and so many homes. I would rather other people have the opportunity to enjoy what I have enjoyed collecting all my life instead of having the pieces in crates or in storage,” Lyons said.

“I have had a very big change in life since losing both parents. I had been an addict in the art world for so long. I have been a collecting addict for so, so, so long. I just love it so much, but it comes to a stage where your life changes.

“You get to a point where you think ‘what do you really want to do?’

“I have been spending a lot more time away, travelling the world and I have actually started to really enjoy life.”

Darryn Lyons is selling some of his art collection. Picture: Supplied/Gibsons

A silver throne is among the items up for grabs. Picture: Supplied/Gibsons

Lyons has been overseas since June

“I don’t know when I will be back. I have no plans to return at the moment,” he said.

“Look at the state of the federal government, look at the state of the state government. “Australia is in as worse a place as I have ever seen it, financially (and) politically.

“I don’t have any ambition to return.”

Items being auctioned by Gibson’s include large format and contemporary commercial photography including works by Terry O’Neill, Brian Duffy, Chris Levine, Formento + Formento, Lucky Amour, Death NYC and Slim Aarons.

There are several “Mr Paparazzi” originals – paintings by Lyons of abstract cameras with dollar signs on them – as well as a throne.

Darryn Lyons in Europe. Source: Instagram

He says he has really started to enjoy life. Source: Instagram

He bought the throne in London in the 1990s after being inspired by Michael Jackson.

“It was part of a pair and Michael Jackson had bought the other one,” he said.

“Still to this day I can’t work out why he bought one and not the pair.

“I used to chase Michael Jackson and Bubbles (his pet chimp) around London, running around after him day and night, around the clock.

“It (the throne) brought back a lot of memories for me. It was very bling, it was very me, I had it in my London headquarters of Big Pictures.”

Lyons admits his life has been a rollercoaster.

“These days I am into the moment,” he said.

“I am decluttering in a massive way in terms of assets, I am simplifying my life.

“I have been through amazing good times and amazing bad times and my life is a rollercoaster whether I like it or not.

“I have been coming to terms with that and saying, ‘right, it is your time now, now is the time for me to go on a journey’.”

Originally published as Ex-Geelong mayor, ‘Mr Paparazzi’ Darryn Lyons selling off wild celebrity art collection