H.R. GIGER

Where was H.R. Giger born?

Born Hans Ruedi Giger on 5 February 1940 in Chur, Switzerland, Giger was the second child of Melly and pharmacist Hans Richard Giger. Despite his father’s reservations about art as a profession, Giger pursued his passion, moving to Zürich in 1962 to study architecture and industrial design at the School of Applied Arts. During this period, he began creating ink drawings and experimented with airbrush techniques, laying the foundation for his future artistic style. ​

What artworks is H.R. Giger known for?

Giger’s art fuses organic and mechanical elements, a style he termed ‘biomechanical’. His airbrush paintings are often monochromatic and depict surreal, dystopian landscapes inhabited by hybrid alien-like creatures. This unique aesthetic has influenced various media, including film, music, and interior design.​

Giger passed away in 2014 yet his work continues to influence contemporary artists. In 2021 the artist was exhibited alongside Korean artist Mire Lee—who creates abject, visceral sculptures and installations suggestive of engines and entrails—at the Schinkel Pavilion in Berlin.

How did H.R. Giger come to work on Alien?

In 1977, Giger published Necronomicon, a compendium of his artwork that delves into the broader dark, fantastical themes present within his ouevre. This collection caught the attention of director Ridley Scott, leading to Giger’s involvement in Alien. The success of this collaboration prompted the release of Necronomicon II in 1985, further cementing his reputation as a master of surrealist art.

Where are H.R. Giger’s bars?

Beyond artworks and set design, Giger has also applied his biomechanical aesthetic to public spaces. Notably, he has designed two bars in Switzerland, one in Chur, and another at H.R. Giger Museum in Gruyères. These establishments serve as functional bars as well as art works, offering an immersive experience of the artist’s surreal worldbuilding.

What album art has H.R. Giger designed?

Giger’s aesthetic was highly sought after, especially in the 1980s, and extended through to the music industry, where he created striking album covers that became iconic in their own right. His album covers remain some of the most recognisable in rock and metal with work commissioned by acts such as Emerson, Lake & Palmer, Debbie Harry, and Celtic Frost.

Which awards has H.R. Giger won?

In addition to his 1980 Academy Award for Alien, Giger was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame in 2013, recognising his significant contributions to the genres.

What were H.R. Giger’s most important exhibitions?

H.R. Giger’s work has been showcased in numerous solo and group exhibitions worldwide.​ Notable exhibitions include:

• HR Giger & Mire Lee, Schinkel Pavilion, Berlin (18 September 2021—16 January 2022).
• Giger in Vienna, Kunsthaus Wien (24 May—1 October 2006).
• HR GIGER IN PRAGUE, National Technical Museum, Prague (14 April—13 July 2005).

Hazel Ellis | Ocula | 2025