Patty McCord
Former Chief Talent Officer, Netflix | Creator, Netflix Culture Deck | Bestselling Author | Co-Host, TruthWorks Podcast
Oliver Jeffers
Award-Winning Visual Artist & Bestselling Author | TED & COP26 Speaker | Brooklyn Museum Exhibitor | MBE
One of the most celebrated visual artists and children's book authors of his generation, Oliver Jeffers has sold millions of copies in over forty-five languages. A TED and COP26 speaker, he blends art, storytelling, and environmental advocacy to challenge audiences to reimagine creativity, purpose, and our shared humanity.
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Oliver Jeffers biography
Keynote speaker Oliver Jeffers is an internationally acclaimed visual artist, author, and storyteller whose work spans picture books, painting, illustration, sculpture, and large-scale installation. With his books published in over forty-five languages and millions of copies sold worldwide, Jeffers has become one of the most recognized creative voices of his generation. His artistry blends curiosity with a wry sense of humor, creating work that serves as both an investigation into how the human mind perceives the world and a gentle commentary on the human condition.
Jeffers’ picture books have earned numerous prestigious awards, including the Bologna Ragazzi Award, a New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award, and an Irish Book Award. His artistic work has been exhibited at institutions including the Brooklyn Museum, the Irish Museum of Modern Art, and the National Portrait Gallery in London. In recognition of his contributions to art and literature, he received an honorary doctorate from Ulster University and was awarded an MBE for services to the arts.
Expanding Boundaries Across Art and Storytelling
His recent work continues to push creative boundaries. Where to Hide a Star, an eagerly awaited sequel in his beloved Boy series, introduced a new character and took readers on an interplanetary adventure. His collaboration with Sam Winston, The Dictionary Story, celebrates the transformative power of language through innovative bookmaking. At the Brooklyn Museum, his immersive installation Life at Sea invites visitors to collectively build an underwater world using recycled ocean plastics, reflecting his commitment to environmental storytelling and participatory art.
As a speaker, Oliver Jeffers draws on his experience addressing audiences at TED, COP26, and the Clinton Global Initiative to deliver talks that explore creativity, the future of storytelling, and what it means to be human on a fragile planet. His unique perspective as both artist and activist makes him a compelling choice for events seeking fresh thinking about innovation, purpose, and the power of narrative.
Oliver Jeffers Speaking Videos
Oliver Jeffers - Picture Books for All Ages
Oliver Jeffers - An ode to living on Earth
Oliver Jeffers Keynote Topics
Oliver Jeffers explores how the creative process — from picture books to large-scale installations — can illuminate the way we understand ourselves and the world around us. Drawing on his career spanning painting, sculpture, and internationally beloved storytelling, Jeffers reveals how curiosity and a willingness to experiment lead to breakthroughs in any field. This talk challenges audiences to reconsider the role of imagination and visual thinking in their own work and organizations.
Inspired by his bestselling book Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, Oliver Jeffers offers a deeply personal and thought-provoking talk on environmental stewardship and collective responsibility. Drawing on his advocacy work at COP26 and his immersive Brooklyn Museum installation Life at Sea — which uses recycled ocean plastics to build a participatory underwater world — Jeffers makes a compelling case for why art and storytelling are essential tools in the fight for a sustainable future.
From picture books translated into forty-five languages to groundbreaking collaborative projects like The Dictionary Story, Oliver Jeffers has built a career on reimagining what is possible within familiar formats. In this talk, he shares how constraints fuel creativity, how collaboration across disciplines produces unexpected results, and how the principles of visual storytelling can transform the way organizations communicate and innovate.
Oliver Jeffers discusses the power of participatory art and collective creation, drawing on his major Brooklyn Museum installation where visitors build an underwater ecosystem together. He explores how shared creative experiences strengthen communities, foster empathy, and generate new ways of thinking about complex challenges. This talk resonates with audiences interested in team building, organizational culture, community engagement, and the intersection of art and social impact.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Oliver Jeffers
Why Oliver Jeffers?
Oliver Jeffers brings a rare combination of artistic mastery, bestselling authorship, and environmental advocacy to the stage. With books published in over forty-five languages and exhibitions at the world's leading museums including the Brooklyn Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, he offers audiences an entirely fresh perspective on creativity, innovation, and storytelling that matters. His experience speaking at TED, COP26, and the Clinton Global Initiative demonstrates his ability to engage audiences at the highest level on topics ranging from imagination and sustainability to the future of human connection. Book Oliver Jeffers through Aurum Speakers Bureau to bring a truly distinctive creative voice to your next event.
What are Oliver Jeffers' most famous books?
Oliver Jeffers is best known for his picture books, which have collectively sold millions of copies worldwide. His most celebrated titles include Lost and Found, which won numerous awards and was adapted into a BAFTA-winning animated short film; Here We Are: Notes for Living on Planet Earth, a letter to his newborn son about life on our planet; The Incredible Book Eating Boy; and How to Catch a Star. His recent works include Where to Hide a Star, a sequel in the beloved Boy series, and The Dictionary Story, a collaborative project with Sam Winston celebrating the power of language.
What themes does Oliver Jeffers explore in his talks?
Oliver Jeffers speaks about creativity and the artistic process, environmental responsibility, the power of storytelling, and what it means to be human in an age of rapid change. He draws on his experience as both a fine artist and a picture book creator to offer insights on innovation, imagination, and purpose that resonate with corporate, cultural, and educational audiences alike. Contact Aurum Speakers Bureau to discuss how Oliver Jeffers can inspire your audience with his unique perspective on art and humanity.
Where has Oliver Jeffers exhibited his artwork?
Oliver Jeffers' art has been displayed at major institutions around the world, including the Brooklyn Museum in New York, the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin, the National Portrait Gallery in London, and the Palais Auersperg in Vienna. His current major installation, Life at Sea at the Brooklyn Museum, is an immersive participatory exhibition where visitors create sea creatures from recycled ocean plastics to build a collective underwater world. His Dipped Paintings series has also been exhibited at galleries internationally.
How to book Oliver Jeffers as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Oliver Jeffers as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Oliver Jeffers's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Oliver Jeffers or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Oliver Jeffers speaking fee?
Oliver Jeffers speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Oliver Jeffers to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Oliver Jeffers.
How can I contact Oliver Jeffers?
We only work with Oliver Jeffers on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Oliver Jeffers and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Oliver Jeffers speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Oliver Jeffers for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Oliver Jeffers for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Oliver Jeffers is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Oliver Jeffers for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
