I created this body of work while under a mandated quarantine during the Covid-19 pandemic. Through trauma brought on by global crisis and isolation, Petals From Daisies explores the internal conflict between embracing the comforts of home and simultaneously trying to escape them. This work plays heavily on the tension between solace and confinement with references to the history of women's labor and craft.
![Exhibition postcard with green needle felted wool partial denture sculpture with flowers.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1536,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/85e89856-dee1-4101-be96-30f78f412d04/1/1/Ally-Messer-Petals-From-Daisies-Flyer-WEB.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=66d8e65388ab326e2e8bab2e8aba2cc8a26cf358c50682f670e9b94a8e7b4178)
![Gallery wall featuring wall works including: tool belt, felted sculpture and mixed media collages.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/05c20dd4-9013-4177-8155-908143013311/1/1/Ally-Messer-Installation-Images-WEB-006.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
![Fabric toolbelt with handmade paper tools hanging above a felted partial denture on a wooden shelf.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/1f987c7a-a132-4d3e-91a1-af06d2470188/1/1/Ally-Messer-Installation-Images-WEB-001.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
(Above)
Tool Belt and Set of 4 Pliers
Blanket, excess drapery fabric, lace table runner, pine needles, dried flowers, handmade paper13.5in x 16in
2021
(Below)
Partial Denture
Wool
4in x 3in x 3in
2021
![Partial denture soft wool sculpture.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/11be5f58-0b38-4dfa-bb30-e466add44881/1/1/Ally-Messer-Partial-Denture-WEB.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
Partial Denture
Wool4in x 3in x 3in
2021
![Fabric toolbelt with handmade paper pliers.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/e05990b7-d840-4342-958b-3afa3685b645/1/1/Ally-Messer-Tool-Belt-and-Set-of-4-Pliers-WEB-02.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
![Handmade paper pliers.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/89344287-4ddf-4516-a3f4-3ac088b28ea7/1/1/Ally-Messer-Tool-Belt-and-Set-of-4-Pliers-WEB-04.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
Tool Belt and Set of 4 Pliers
Blanket, excess drapery fabric, lace table runner, pine needles, dried flowers, handmade paper
13.5in x 16in
Blanket, excess drapery fabric, lace table runner, pine needles, dried flowers, handmade paper
13.5in x 16in
2021
![Mixed media collage of a watering can pouring onto a house that is growing flowers from beneath.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/151514ef-17f9-4090-9c32-dec9abad5d3d/1/1/Ally-Messer-Overgrown-WEB.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
Overgrown
Collage
7in x 8in
Collage
7in x 8in
2021
![A lock of doll's hair.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1267,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/969ff398-b134-4c0b-9f12-2e2e1e04626d/1/1/Ally-Messer-_______-Had-an-Accident-Today-with-Scissors-WEB.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=a829df2e40d93f2ab4e33c19841bf86100911f35d8e0636298a87ae026be0e82)
_______ Had an Accident Today with Scissors
Doll hair, ribbon6in x 8in
2021
![Mixed media collage of an illustrated carrot character sitting in front of a hilled city scape.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/eef4d9e7-4eca-4fba-9442-12319c2f5cbf/1/1/Ally-Messer-Outskirts-WEB-02.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
Outskirts
Collage9in x 11in
2021
![Mixed media collage with dried flowers in front of a carrot character pulling a root vegetable from the ground.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/fab35be2-e14f-49d8-b83b-b098bc8d2550/1/1/Ally-Messer-Love-Me-Not-Rebirth-WEB.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
Love Me Not (Rebirth)
Mixed media collage9in x 12in
2021
![A crack in the wall with pink fringe.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/c80968e9-2cbd-472e-a16e-318bd80b6c37/1/1/Ally-Messer-SeatSpoonShovel-WEB-11.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
![View of the gallery featuring wall works and plush chair sculpture.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/bda90d96-75fa-43b7-9fec-73f7dcf73612/1/1/Ally-Messer-Installation-Images-WEB-020.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
![Soft sculpture chair with handmade paper stack.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/bc979d47-4b3f-467f-8b99-7911ba151663/1/1/Ally-Messer-SeatSpoonShovel-WEB-03.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
![Handmade paper tied with string.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/fd3ba8dc-ceac-4951-8b7e-5c3a14597172/1/1/Ally-Messer-SeatSpoonShovel-WEB-07.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
![Soft, fabric chair sculpture with a stack of handmade paper.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/4657892a-b824-4c12-b22e-e4e0f99b715b/1/1/Ally-Messer-Installation-Images-WEB-021.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
SeatSpoonShovel
Fabric, pantyhose, dry beans, buttons, silver spoon
12in x 15.5in x 35in
Fabric, pantyhose, dry beans, buttons, silver spoon
12in x 15.5in x 35in
2021
![View of the gallery window and soft sculpture, felted installation.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/2167b3cd-1bdc-4803-b10f-d1b451c1a5f9/1/1/Ally-Messer-Installation-Images-WEB-016.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
Up and At ‘Em
Wool, fabric, rope, twigs, terracotta pots, windowSite-specific Installation
2021
![Potted carrot character seated at the window.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/7c96078f-0980-40e0-9d75-16692537e429/1/1/Ally-Messer-Up-and-At-Em-WEB-09.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
Up
Wool, fabric, doll, terracotta pot5in x 8in x 10in
2021
![Potted carrot character next to spilled, empty pots in the windowsill.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1920,1280,1920,1200/0-0-0/166af1c4-c171-4e65-bced-20a16f6d3ed7/1/1/Ally-Messer-Up-and-At-Em-WEB-13.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=8cefca1c963f23e14794a2f47dee14e8db1a0fd4b45beca7ec4c659729c65dff)
![Rope ladder made of twigs and rope.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/fa8f324d-0589-48d2-a1d2-49ade308729d/1/1/Ally-Messer-Up-and-At-Em-WEB-08.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
![Carrot character holding the bottom of the rope ladder, seemingly confused or out of breath.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/ae823234-e1dd-45fb-8a59-cb923168fc48/1/1/Ally-Messer-Up-and-At-Em-WEB-05.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
At ‘Em
Wool, fabric, doll6in x 10in x 18in
2021
![View of a carrot character who has climbed down a rope ladder from the windowsill.](https://format.creatorcdn.com/1bf8b0da-846f-49fd-8e21-f383398a435e/0/0/0/0,0,1280,1920,1600,1920/0-0-0/4af88543-6856-4884-8e90-2f7300880972/1/1/Ally-Messer-Installation-Images-WEB-013.jpg?fjkss=exp=2037588206~hmac=ff475f3b4b2ef4ba92bf5b6e3633426883fca83a755b21e7be3afc6e828d5b48)
Up and At ‘Em
Wool, fabric, rope, twigs, terracotta pots, window
Site-specific Installation
2021