In 2017 artist Lily Wales was awarded a GRAIN and Engine New Art West Midlands Bursary to develop her research and work, including taking a research trip to the Nevada Atomic Testing Site, near Las Vegas, USA.   Making new work on the  themes of nuclear warfare and its language Lily created a travel journal that included her handmade photomontage, found objects and photographs from the visit. 

Previously her practice has investigated the appropriation of nature within nuclear weaponry, exploring the mushroom cloud as an icon and commenting on the bizarre naming of atomic bombs, in order to examine the ability language has to anaesthetise public perception. Her practice now aims to reframe the narrative around nuclear energy by exploring its impact on the natural and political climate.