Who Is the Zealous Team? Meet Our Creative Industry Experts

Founded to bridge the gap between talented creatives and meaningful opportunities, Zealous has grown into a trusted resource for artists, galleries, and creative organisations across the UK and beyond. But behind every opportunity posted, every artist supported, and every creative career launched, there’s a passionate team of individuals who understand the creative industry from the inside out.

Get to know the people behind Zealous—the creative professionals working every day to make the art world more accessible, connected, and supportive for artists everywhere.

Guy Armitage – Founder/CEO

I joined Zealous on the 21st of April 2011 (when it was incorporated) but had been working on it for a year before that .

Favourite artwork is hard – but it’s split between “Have your circumstances changed” by Lu Kemp – it was a play setup in a shop which welcomed people into 3 old men’s homes – whilst they were tormented by hidden ailments.

I’m also a huge fan of “An Occupation of Loss” by Taryn Simon – a huge space was filled with the sounds of laments from across the World. My daughter had just been born so it was a powerful moment (I realised I’d set the clock ticking which brought me to tears).

Yukie Yokoyama – Director

I started working with Zealous in May 2016.

Wouldn’t say a ‘favourite’ but recently most impactful pieces were

Marina Abramović’s ‘Luminosity’ (thoughts about the psychological impact it has on the viewer and the performer)
William Kentridge’s ‘The Conservationist’s Ball’ (the details and the story it told) and
Lubaina Himid’s ‘Man in A Shirt Drawer’ (the surprise element but also forced me to think about the history and background of random pieces of furniture and the hidden person in the portrait and their roles).

Bethan Goddard – Community Manager

I started working at Zealous in October 2021, not long after I left art school.

My favourite artwork is constantly changing, but currently I am really loving Alison Friend. Her paintings are so much fun and really make me smile, which is what I love in art.

Nicky Bartlett – Account Manager

I joined Zealous on the 14^th of March 2024.

I debated my favourite and have two close contenders – Water Lilies Murals by Claude Monet, in the Musée de l’Orangerie. My first visit was when studying in Paris in 1998 and I booked a trip the very next day to Monet’s Garden in Giverny. Even now I can’t return to Paris, regardless of how fleeting the trip, without spending some time in front of these murals.

My second is “Twilight by the Sea”, by my Daughter, Amber Bartlett, Age 13. This piece was commissioned with the very open brief of “something to brighten up my desk space”. The artist took inspiration from family holidays in Spain and Greece, “because I know you love the sea and sunsets”.

Vasena Kularatna-Rodgers – Account Executive

I joined Zealous in October 2019.

My favourite artwork is the frescoes at Sigiriya Rock in Sri Lanka. I first climbed Sigiriya when I was 7, and it felt like a huge adventure – physically exhausting and exciting. Halfway up, I saw these vivid ancient paintings of celestial women emerging from the rock face, and they’ve stayed with me ever since. They were created over 1500 years ago during the reign of King Kashyapa, who built a palace atop the rock. I later had to draw them in art class at my school, and they became this early, lasting memory of beauty, culture and connection to place.

Carmela Vienna – Social Marketing Manager

I joined Zealous in March 2022 – the years have flown by since!

I love so many artists and artworks it’s so tough to pick just one. But an artwork I love that I’m yet to see in the flesh is The Dinner Party by Judy Chicago. It’s beautifully decorative, yet monumental – the act of making space for these women together at one big table through art is empowering. It makes me think about potential – how many incredible things have started from great people sitting together at a table? The Dinner Party is a compelling call to action – we can all get creative in creating our own dinner parties as a medium for gathering, discussion and connection.

Chema Martinez – Designer

I joined Zealous 10 years ago, in June 2015.

My favourite artwork is difficult, as I love different types of art, styles,… but I have a deep connection with Goya’s “Black paintings”. Since I research about them during my college days and the first time I saw them on the Padro Museum in Madrid, I have fallen in love with their atmosphere, storytelling, style,…