Artist Megan Merz
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USASpirit Board
Watercolor
Artist Statement
“Never use a Ouija board!” people
would warn, always citing some dramatic tale of possession or
poltergeist. Growing up, I heard those words more than once from adults
or fellow kids. Almost everyone had the standard Hasbro Ouija Board
tucked away in an attic, ready to be used at sleepovers or Halloween.
My best friend and I used a Ouija
board during our college years, always ending up with stories forged by
ghostly letters. We were fueled by curiosity and what would happen next.
It didn’t matter if we were subconsciously pushing the planchette or
being visited by otherworldly entities. A good time was had by all ? at
least, those among the living. The spirits never seemed to complain.
As a tribute to the small adventures
carried out in basements and dorm rooms, I made this spirit board. I
find deer to be haunting on their own. Historically, they’ve been the
messengers of the spirit world, the mounts of the fae, and animals of
high significance, so it seemed appropriate to blend the two traditions
of the otherworld together.
