The Illustrators
1 primary work • 2 total works
Book 9
An overview of the life and work of Oliver Jeffers, the Belfast-raised illustrator, bookmaker, painter, designer, campaigner and global superstar of the world of visual communication
A phenomenon of 21st-century bookmaking, Oliver Jeffers has carved an extraordinary career that shows no sign of slowing. Still only in his forties, he has published an array of hugely popular books, both as illustrator and author–illustrator. This overview of his life and work – so far – charts his passion for the environment and his quest to understand humanity’s major challenges, and the impact this has had on his creative and intellectual output.
The list of Jeffers’s accomplishments is long and glittering: he has held numerous one-man shows, in both the UK and the USA, and was appointed an MBE in 2022 for services to the arts. Most importantly, however, he has tirelessly pushed the boundaries of what a picturebook can be. His regular exploration of existential issues – whether through illustration or other media such as site-specific installation or film – has exerted a major influence on the practice of authorial picturebook-making.
This addition to Thames & Hudson’s acclaimed Illustrators series is the first book to focus closely on Oliver Jeffers’s practice as an illustrator, offering an in-depth analysis of his processes, influences, styles and subjects as they have changed over time.
A phenomenon of 21st-century bookmaking, Oliver Jeffers has carved an extraordinary career that shows no sign of slowing. Still only in his forties, he has published an array of hugely popular books, both as illustrator and author–illustrator. This overview of his life and work – so far – charts his passion for the environment and his quest to understand humanity’s major challenges, and the impact this has had on his creative and intellectual output.
The list of Jeffers’s accomplishments is long and glittering: he has held numerous one-man shows, in both the UK and the USA, and was appointed an MBE in 2022 for services to the arts. Most importantly, however, he has tirelessly pushed the boundaries of what a picturebook can be. His regular exploration of existential issues – whether through illustration or other media such as site-specific installation or film – has exerted a major influence on the practice of authorial picturebook-making.
This addition to Thames & Hudson’s acclaimed Illustrators series is the first book to focus closely on Oliver Jeffers’s practice as an illustrator, offering an in-depth analysis of his processes, influences, styles and subjects as they have changed over time.
Czech artist Miroslav Šašek (1916–1980) was remarkable for his unique and pioneering approach to non-fiction picture books, illustrating daily life as if seen from a child’s perspective. His bestselling This Is… series eventually totalled eighteen books. A witty collection of travel guides for children, the books employ an avant-garde synthesis of word and image that captures the joyous idiosyncrasies of life and culture in cities and countries around the world.
With great insight, acclaimed author Martin Salisbury analyses Šašek’s multifarious oeuvre, and how he became one of the twentieth century’s most beloved and significant contributors to the world of picture books. The artist’s charming travelogues continue to appeal to adults and children alike, even in a digital age exploding with travel imagery. In this beautifully designed book, illustrated with sketches and original artwork, and featuring examples spanning from Greece to Hong Kong, Rome to San Francisco, Ireland to Israel and more, Šašek’s best-known works come alive alongside lesser-known aspects of his practice, such as painting and puppet-making.
With 119 illustrations
With great insight, acclaimed author Martin Salisbury analyses Šašek’s multifarious oeuvre, and how he became one of the twentieth century’s most beloved and significant contributors to the world of picture books. The artist’s charming travelogues continue to appeal to adults and children alike, even in a digital age exploding with travel imagery. In this beautifully designed book, illustrated with sketches and original artwork, and featuring examples spanning from Greece to Hong Kong, Rome to San Francisco, Ireland to Israel and more, Šašek’s best-known works come alive alongside lesser-known aspects of his practice, such as painting and puppet-making.
With 119 illustrations