[1][2] Riley has created permanent artworks for the public realm across the UK, including work for The National Trust, English Heritage, NHS, RSPB, and local authorities and arts organisations.

Primarily working with words, particularly with local residents as co-creators, Riley has also collaborated with writers and poets, including Simon Armitage, Ian Duhig, John W. Clarke and Charlotte Oliver, and with artists including Rachel Welford, Annabel McCourt and British comic book artist John Cooper.

[5] In 2003, Riley relocated his studio to Scarborough where he co-founded the practitioners network Creative Coast[6] with local arts organisation Create.

[8][9] As a result Riley was invited to represent Scarborough meeting then Prime Minister Gordon Brown at Downing Street.

[11] In 2022, Riley contributed to BBC Radio 4 Today programme series 'Britain's Favourite Beach'[12] with a response that looked at history through Scarborough;s illuminated seafront signage.