Glasgow-born artist and metalworker has called Japan home since being awarded the prestigious in 2019.

From 2020 to 2022, Reilly lived and worked in the town of , Niigata Prefecture, though she initially succumbed to the charms of the community after attending the ¡°Biology of Metal: Metal Craftsmanship in Tsubame-Sanjo¡± exhibition at Japan House London in 2018. Upon relocating to Niigata, Reilly learned about the small rural area¡¯s renowned reputation with metalwork. She spent her time there acquiring knowledge from and working alongside their skilled artisans ¡ª training in a cutlery factory to hone her craft and gain generational and technical knowledge that would influence and inform her in the production of her future works.