Digital mockup of Intuitive Patterns, Courtesy of the Artist
Michael Velliquette: Intuitive Patterns
July 22, 2026 – July 10, 2027
at Windows on Fifth Gallery at Racine Art Museum
Each panel is hand-cut with intricate designs, drawing from geometric motifs, intuitive abstraction, hex-protection symbols, and visual references to portals and windows. The tradition of papercutting is both the technical foundation and a rich cultural lineage for Intuitive Patterns. One of the oldest papercraft traditions, papercutting is over 2,500 years old and still practiced in cultures worldwide…Tyvek [acts as] a contemporary stand-in to actual fiber-based paper and is chosen for its durability, integrity and tensile strength.
—Michael Velliquette
Wisconsin-based Michael Velliquette has created an installation for RAM’s Windows on Fifth Gallery that reflects his interest in color theory, pattern-making, and papercraft. Building on a long-term relationship with paper—studying its history and physical capabilities—Velliquette transfers his knowledge to light durable Tyvek panels that he has cut into compelling designs. In addition, he plays with the perceptual possibilities of color as he presents the intensely saturated panels in arrangements that will change midway through this year-long exhibition.
More About the Exhibition
Michael Velliquette: Intuitive Patterns
July 22, 2026 – July 10, 2027
at Windows on Fifth Gallery at Racine Art Museum
Digital mockup of Intuitive Patterns, Courtesy of the Artist
Each panel is hand-cut with intricate designs, drawing from geometric motifs, intuitive abstraction, hex-protection symbols, and visual references to portals and windows. The tradition of papercutting is both the technical foundation and a rich cultural lineage for Intuitive Patterns. One of the oldest papercraft traditions, papercutting is over 2,500 years old and still practiced in cultures worldwide…Tyvek [acts as] a contemporary stand-in to actual fiber-based paper and is chosen for its durability, integrity and tensile strength.
—Michael Velliquette
Wisconsin-based Michael Velliquette has created an installation for RAM’s Windows on Fifth Gallery that reflects his interest in color theory, pattern-making, and papercraft. Building on a long-term relationship with paper—studying its history and physical capabilities—Velliquette transfers his knowledge to light durable Tyvek panels that he has cut into compelling designs. In addition, he plays with the perceptual possibilities of color as he presents the intensely saturated panels in arrangements that will change midway through this year-long exhibition.
More About the Exhibition
Artist Bio
Interested in the “fantastic, esoteric, mythic, and spectacular,” Michael Velliquette (1971 – ) uses cut paper to create books, two-dimensional reliefs, and three-dimensional sculpture. Investigating the potential of color as a spiritual and metaphorical tool, he plays with it while also exploring pattern and design. In past work, Velliquette has included animals, such as the birds in one of the pieces in RAM’s collection, as both representations of themselves and as a means to address social and cultural standards. With his most recent work, Velliquette foregrounds labor, process, and materiality. Rather than planning and drawing studies, he allows works “to accrue cut-by-cut and piece-by-piece” in a process that he refers to as “slow-motion improvisation.” Velliquette has a studio in Madison where he is an Assistant Professor of Foundations in the Art Department at UW-Madison, participates in numerous exhibitions and residencies, and is a member of the Guild of American Papercutters and the Paper Artist Collective. He is represented in RAM’s collection by 5 works.
Artist Bio
Interested in the “fantastic, esoteric, mythic, and spectacular,” Michael Velliquette (1971 – ) uses cut paper to create books, two-dimensional reliefs, and three-dimensional sculpture. Investigating the potential of color as a spiritual and metaphorical tool, he plays with it while also exploring pattern and design. In past work, Velliquette has included animals, such as the birds in one of the pieces in RAM’s collection, as both representations of themselves and as a means to address social and cultural standards. With his most recent work, Velliquette foregrounds labor, process, and materiality. Rather than planning and drawing studies, he allows works “to accrue cut-by-cut and piece-by-piece” in a process that he refers to as “slow-motion improvisation.” Velliquette has a studio in Madison where he is an Assistant Professor of Foundations in the Art Department at UW-Madison, participates in numerous exhibitions and residencies, and is a member of the Guild of American Papercutters and the Paper Artist Collective. He is represented in RAM’s collection by 5 works.
In-Progress Studio View of Work in the Exhibition
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Exhibitions at RAM are made possible by:
Platinum Partners
Anonymous
The Estate of Karen Johnson Boyd
Ron and Judith Isaacs
The Estate of Marilyn Rothschild
Windgate Foundation
Diamond Partners
David Charak
Ruffo Family Foundation
Ruth Arts Foundation
Diane Zebell
Gold Partners
Judith and David Flegel Fund
Osborne and Scekic Family Foundation
Reliance Controls Community Fund
W.T. Walker Group, Inc.
Silver Partners
Anonymous
Anonymous
Bader Philanthropies
Baird
A.C. Buhler Family
Dave’s Wine Garage
Paula and E.L. Donovitz Memorial Endowment Fund
Ben and Dawn Flegel
Tom Harty
Horizon Retail Construction, Inc.
Johnson Financial Group
Robert E. Kohler Jr. Fund
Luanne Frey and Mark Lukow
Sheri and Frank Sullivan
Bronze Partners
Sandy and Gus Antonneau
Carol Baylon
Susan Boland
Rose and Peter Christensen
Educators Credit Union
Carol Griseto
Julia Ann Oas and Don Gloo
Hitters Baseball
Debbie and Chuck Hoffman
Susan and Dan Horton
Gary Van Wert and Ronald Jacquart
Paula Kalke
Bill and Debbie Keland
Nancy Kurten
Susan Manalli
Norbell Foundation
O&H Danish Bakery
Rita Petretti
Rasmussen Diamonds
SC Johnson
Harold and Lois Solberg
Twin Disc
Marc J. Wollman
Amy and Robb Woulfe
Media Sponsor
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