Sculptor and performer, Lyall has produced a substantial body of work around the reification and commodification of nature, particularly a post-colonial sublime. Locally, he is best known for his series of feral sculptural installations based on the compositions of famous historical paintings of the Sublime New Zealand landscape. He has also produced some remarkable sound performances both with his group, People Who Hit Things, and as a solo performer. Lyall represented New Zealand at SoundCulture in Tokyo in 1993.