Riker's Souvenir, original upcycled vintage painting

“Riker’s Souvenir”

This was a very playful alteration, capturing a still life scene of a refreshment table from the planet Risa, prominently featuring a horga’hn. 

The horga’hn was featured in the episode “Captain’s Holiday” in Star Trek The Next Generation TM. Riker played a trick on Captain Picard by requesting he bring back this seemingly innocuous statue. While on holiday, Picard dutifully bought the souvenir, but then was continuously interrupted from reading his book by the poolside by women seeking the pleasure of his company. Finally one woman explained the statue’s not-so-subtle meaning as an invitation for jamaharon… and Captain Picard, the classy guy he was, admitted he didn’t even know what jamaharon was. Adventure and romance followed…  and I don’t know if he ever finished his book! 

I like that this alteration gives this little painting attention once again. I found it at a thrift store… it had been ripped out of its pretty frame and discarded in just its trim, nails poking out and all. Nothing sadder than art chucked away for its frame! So this little one now has a brand new modern frame to make it feel young again. 

Mixed media on vintage painting
30.5 x 40.5 cm (12 x 16 inch) canvas + new frame