One of the most iconically recognizable artists of modern day cinema, and one of my personal heroes, Hans Ruedi Giger, better known as HR Giger has died at the age of 74 from injuries sustained in a fall. It should be noted that when I read this announcement I had a sudden intake of breath from shock, as if I had lost a close friend. It is strange to me that I feel this way as I never met the man, but studying his work, knowing his life story and being heavilly inspired by his iconic master pieces, I feel I may have felt a spiritual connection suddenly break. It was a dream of mine to meet him face to face to tell him how much of an influence he had on my life. Now sadly that dream will never come true. HR Giger was best known for his designs of Sir Ridely Scot's sci fi horror Master piece Alien for which he won a Visual Effects Oscar in 1980. As monstrous and terrifying as this creature was, the Alien design set the bar for science fiction design and has not yet been surpassed in its ingenuity. Though has been replicated and copiedand ripped off shamelessly over and over. The creature and Hr Giger's design of the world the creature lives in is still to this day as influential in modern day Cinema as it was when it first was portrayed on screen. Studying his work for years and being an admiror of his twisted and often grotesque art, there was something in this art that I connected with. I found that within his obsession with sex, mutation, mutilation, there was still a beauty to it. Although his work was monochromatic, and were nightmarish dreamscapes that most people found repulsive, I found I could relate to this odd ball of fantastic fearsome bravery. Art to me is all about expressing what cannot be put into words, and many artists use art as a form of therapy This can often result in very dark and violent images. Inspiring film makers, writers, musicians and artists alike, H R Giger has spanned the globe, blurring the lines between film media and fine art, forever remaining non other than the most memorable production artist in film History. Thanks for the inspiration, Mr Giger. You will be missed, and your work will forever be treasured. I will endevour to remain and stay creative.

• published: 13 May 2014
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