H.R. Giger: Master of Surreality

H.R. Giger (pronounced gee'-gur with a hard G) is the world's foremost nightmare surrealist. From being the first to show that the airbrush could be used to create fine art, to changing the face of today's sci-fi and horror, Giger's fantastic imagination and innovation continue to influence the world of artistic macabre.

Many wonder where Giger's inspiration comes from. Some say he retains a memory of being born, and that horrific experience haunts him to this day. More reputably, his fascination with bizarre shadows of the mind began when his father received a human skull as a business promotion. Giger keeps a dream diary and uses these concepts to create some of his most fantastic works. Giger's artistic influences combine imagery from the imaginations of Gustav Meyrink, Jean Cocteau, Alfred Kubin, Ernst Fuchs, Salvador Dali, and Hieronymus Bosch. Giger tops a long list of talented surrealists.