A celebration of surrealism’s centennial, seen through the visionary lens of Basil Pao.

Basil Pao invites readers into his dreamscapes—extraordinary photomontages that blur the boundaries between reality and fantasy. As a companion to Carnival of Dreams, this stunning collection brings his five-decade exploration of surrealism and magic realism to a close, culminating in a chapter dedicated to the artists who shaped his vision.

From early cut-and-paste collages to digitally enhanced compositions, Pao’s work celebrates the boundless possibilities of artistic expression. Marking the hundredth anniversary of Surrealism, this book is both a tribute and a celebration, honoring the movement’s enduring ability to challenge perception and ignite wonder.

With an introduction by Terry Gilliam, On the Steppes of Dreams offers an invitation to step beyond the confines of reason and into a universe where the impossible takes shape one breathtaking image at a time.

Basil Pao is an author and photographer. He was previously an art director in New York and Los Angeles, where he first worked with Michael Palin while designing the book and graphics for the Monty Python film Life of Brian. They have since collaborated on eleven illustrated books based on the BBC travel series, including Pole to Pole; Full Circle; and Hemingway Adventure. He is the author of twenty-two other books of photographs including Hands; China Revealed; and Yi’Jing-Book of Changes.