Riker's Souvenir, original upcycled vintage painting

“Riker’s Souvenir”
original altered painting by Heather Castles

“It's called a Horga'hn. You won't have any trouble finding one.” —Riker

The horga’hn was first featured in the episode “Captain’s Holiday” in Star Trek The Next Generation c1990. Commander Riker played a trick on Captain Picard by requesting he bring back this seemingly innocuous statue as a souvenir 

So while on holiday on the pleasure planet of Risa, Picard dutifully bought the statue… 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 a completely different vibe!  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! After cleaning and altering it, I gave it a 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