MEET THE MEMBER – JEALOUS
Jealous is an artist-led fine art print publisher and studio with a vibrant gallery space in East London. They regularly exhibit at many of the country’s leading print fairs and are committed to creating a positive impact in their local community and beyond through their support for a range of charitable causes. Working directly with artists and in partnership with major galleries nationwide, their mission is to champion both established names and emerging talent within contemporary printmaking.
We recently sat down with co-director Jacquie Ryle (pictured) – affectionately known as “Boss Lady” – to delve into Jealous’ journey so far, discover what exciting projects lie ahead, and discuss why inclusivity in the art market remains at the heart of their ethos.
It all started in 2008, in Crouch End, North London, where they first opened as a print studio and gallery combined, “that integration of making and showing has stayed central to who we are”, Jacquie explained.
Since then, Jealous has moved into a much bigger space in East London and continues to work with more and more artists and galleries, both across the UK and internationally. Even though things have grown bigger over the years, Jealous’ foundational ethos has remained the same – “high quality, no pretension, and prints that people actually want to live with”.
There is a lot going on in the Jealous Print Studio, but the team specialise in screen printing and digital printing – “while screen printing gives you extraordinary colour saturation and layering possibilities”, Jacquie detailed, “digital printing captures the intricacies of a design”. She then told us that the most exciting thing about working with print is the collaboration,
“An artist brings an idea, our in-house team of printers translate it through the process, and something genuinely new emerges. Plus, editions mean work becomes affordable. You can own artwork by a significant artist for a few hundred pounds rather than tens of thousands.”
At Own Art, our central mission is to make art more accessible by lowering the financial barriers that often accompany buying original work and by challenging perceptions of elitism within the art market. Jealous wholeheartedly shares this goal. As Jacquie explained, whether someone is visiting their Gallery and Print Studio, meeting the team at a fair, or browsing their website, Jealous’ guiding aim is always the same: to help make the art world feel less intimidating. By working with emerging artists and more established names like Kate Gibb and Joakim Allgulander, they work hard to create beautiful work and get it into people’s homes.
“I don’t think art should live in storage or only be accessible to oligarchs. It should be on your walls, making your morning coffee better. We want people to start collecting without barriers, and we’re there to guide them through it.”
Beyond taking home an artwork, we asked Jacquie what kind of feeling or impression she hopes visitors to Jealous would leave with, to which she responded, “I want them to feel excited, not excluded”. Expanding on this, she exclaimed that “too many galleries make people feel like they are trespassing”, like they have just entered a space that they are not supposed to be, surrounded by art that they couldn’t possibly understand. At Jealous, the team are on hand to talk you through techniques, introduce you to artists, take you on a tour and let you see the print studio – all three floors.
“There’s no pressure to buy – though obviously we’re delighted when people do. The impression should be: ‘I didn’t know I could afford quality prints, but actually, I can’.”
Like many galleries, art fairs are a vital part of Jealous’ yearly programme. They’re a familiar presence at many of London’s most popular events – including the Affordable Art Fair, The Other Art Fair, Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair and London Original Print Fair – as well as at a range of international events too. Art fairs give both galleries and artists a rare chance to place their work in front of thousands of people in just a few days: collectors, curators, artists, journalists and art lovers of all kinds. Jacquie explained why these fairs matter so much to Jealous:
“What they offer is energy and reach you simply can’t replicate in a single location. You meet first-time buyers who are curious and confident collectors expanding their holdings. The intensity is exhausting but addictive. Plus, it keeps us on our toes. You’re constantly explaining your artists’ work to fresh audiences, which refines how you think about everything.”
(Image – Jealous at Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair, courtesy of Own Art)
Jealous has been part of the Own Art scheme since 2016, a partnership that allows their customers to spread the cost of original prints over 10 months, completely interest-free – making an already relatively ‘affordable’ medium even more accessible. They joined the network because, as Jacquie explained, “it aligned perfectly with what we are trying to do”. She added, “Own Art removes the financial barrier for people who want to collect but can’t drop, say, £1000 in one go. The interest-free loan spreads the cost, making it manageable”. Own Art not only enables more customers to bring original prints from Jealous into their homes but also helps support the artists Jealous represents, ensuring more sustainable livelihoods for their creative community.
“For our artists, it’s expanded their collector base significantly – people who might have hesitated suddenly feel empowered to buy. We’ve watched first-time buyers become serious collectors over the years. It’s transformative.”
David Shrigley, Shut Up And Eat Your Fries, Jealous Gallery rooftop balloons
At Own Art, we firmly believe that owning and collecting original artwork can enrich people’s lives. It transforms your relationship with your surroundings and opens up new ways to express yourself. As Jacquie put it so beautifully, “you engage with it daily: it surprises you, comforts you, challenges you. It’s not passive decoration; it’s an active presence”. The Own Art scheme helps make this experience possible for people who may have felt priced out of the art world.
“Instead of thinking, ‘One day when I have money,’ they can think, ‘Actually, right now.’ That shift in mindset – from art as luxury to art as accessible – is profound.”
Jealous pride themselves on being “uncompromisingly informal without being unprofessional”, a balance that allows them to break down the traditional barriers of elitism in the art world and make both their gallery and the opportunity of art ownership accessible to all. A few core practices help them create such a warm, inclusive environment: “Not making people feel stupid for asking questions. We price clearly, explain techniques, and work hard on representation: the artists we show, the audiences we reach. Accessibility isn’t just about price; it’s about who feels welcome and seen.”
As well as being an art gallery, print studio, and creative hub, Jealous is also a committed advocate and fundraiser for numerous charitable causes within the local community and beyond. One of their long-standing partnerships is with Big Issue, and this festive season, their Deck the Walls collection continues that creative collaboration. Released in November 2025, the Jealous X Big Issue ‘Deck The Walls’ collection showcases works from 12 Jealous artists, with 50% of the profits from each sale supporting The Big Issue’s mission to end poverty in the UK.
“We hope it encourages people to embrace creativity as a force for good – whether they’re buying these works for themselves or gifting them to loved ones, every purchase will make a difference.”
Click here to find out more about Jealous’ many other charitable endeavours
Looking ahead, Jealous has several exciting artist collaborations in development and is exploring more ambitious editions that push the technical possibilities of printmaking. They are also seeking new ways to use their skills and platform for social impact: their gallery continues to serve as a donation point for the Tottenham Foodbank, and they are looking forward to helping drive food donations over the holidays. Concluding our chat, Jacquie added:
“Fundamentally, we want to keep making exceptional prints, keep them affordable, and keep proving that the art world can be both rigorous and welcoming. It’s not actually that complicated.”
Discover JEALOUS for yourself:
Visit their website: www.jealousgallery.com
Follow them on Instagram: jealous_london
