Beyond Alien: the disturbing psychedelic artwork of HR Giger

His most famous design terrorised Sigourney Weaver onscreen but a new book shows a fascinating legacy of mythological worlds filled with haunting creatures

Main image: An illustration by HR Giger. Photograph: HR Giger

  • ‘At its essence, Giger’s art digs down into our psyches and touches our very deepest primal instincts and fears,’ Ridley Scott said
    “At its essence, Giger’s art digs down into our psyches and touches our very deepest primal instincts and fears” ... Ridley Scott

  • Giger was born in Switzerland in 1940 and died in 2014 after being injured in a fall
    Giger was born in Switzerland in 1940 and died in 2014 after being injured in a fall

  • Giger has also provided work for Korn, Dead Kennedys and Deborah Harry
    Giger has also provided work for Kord, Dead Kennedys and Deborah Harry

  • ‘Some people would say my paintings show a future world and maybe they do, but I paint from reality. I put several things and ideas together, and perhaps, when I have finished, it could show the future,’ Giger said
    “Some people would say my paintings show a future world and maybe they do, but I paint from reality. I put several things and ideas together, and perhaps, when I have finished, it could show the future.” ... HR Giger

  • In the original illustrations for Alien, the creature had eyes, but for the film, Giger insisted they had no eyes. He thought the cold emotionless appearance would be more effective
    In the original illustrations for Alien, the creature had eyes but for the film, Giger insisted they had no eyes. He thought the cold emotionless appearance would be more effective.

  • ‘If people want to interpret my work as warnings about too much overpopulation, disease and mechanization in the future, then that is up to them,’ Giger noted
    “If people want to interpret my work as warnings about too much overpopulation, disease and mechanization in the future, then that is up to them” ... HR Giger

  • In addition to his work on Alien, Giger also worked on films such as Poltergeist II: The Other Side, Species and Killer Condom
    In addition to his work on Alien, Giger also worked on films such as Poltergeist II: The Other Side, Species and Killer Condom.

  • ‘The Dutch customs once thought my pictures were photos. Where on Earth did they think I could have photographed my subjects? In hell, perhaps?’
    “The Dutch customs once thought my pictures were photos. Where on earth did they think I could have photographed my subjects? In Hell, perhaps?” ... HR Giger
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