Dutch Artist Creates Impressive Surreal Illustrations

The works of Dutch artist Redmer Hoekstra really capture the essence of the surreal. Familiar things are put in contexts that seem so otherworldly that we have a hard time wrapping our heads around them. But that is exactly why we are fascinated with them so much.

You’ll see all sorts of puzzling scenes in Hoekstra’s illustrations, like seahorse in aquarium tank riding chameleons. And you’ll probably wonder how in the world he came up with them, but the answer is simpler than you imagine—a fascination with the world that surrounds us.

According to the artist, this fascination, paired with his wish to know how things work, often takes him to strange places and allows him to come up with all sorts of new and unusual creations.

“I play with form, meaning, and function while new combinations arise,” Hoekstra shares on his website. “Often surprising, strange and funny but also with a strange kind of logic, a fantastic and surreal world.”

Despite their focus on surrealism, Hoekstra’s illustrations are realistic in style. This is on purpose, as the artist wants to “make the alienation most powerful.” It also requires a lot of work, with one drawing taking up to 40 hours to be completed.

Continue scrolling to check out more of Hoekstra’s works.