From cut, notched, perforated, and layered pieces of metallic coated paper, Michael Velliquette conceives of alluring geometric motifs. Known for his mandala-like compositions that sometimes rise tower-like from their bases or appear to rotate with multiple circular layers, he continues to explore “the subtle terrain of interiority,” says a statement for his new show.

The Light That Sees, Velliquette’s solo exhibition of 21 new works at Duane Reed Gallery, delves into themes of consciousness and light, both in the physical sense that light enables us to see but also in the way that illumination is itself a metaphor for awareness—and enlightenment. Through monochromatic reliefs, he highlights perception, material, and the human relationship with nature.

Velliquette often repeats specific shapes, such as eyes, stars, florets, and circles. Numerous other shapes frequently come into play, from hole-punched triangles to myriad tiny discs with scalloped edges. Sometimes, the overall composition reads as a meditation on recurring forms, like a mandala, in which all sides are essentially the same. In others, elements bordering on the cartoonish emerge in the form of flowers with faces or human profiles rotating around a central orb.

A statement says, “Through acts of repetition and precision—cutting, shaping, and assembling complex layers and shapes—Velliquette’s paper sculptures serve as meditative objects that ask the viewer not just to look, but to see—to meet the work with a quiet awareness that mirrors its making.”

The Light That Sees continues through December 13 in St. Louis. See more on the artist’s website and Instagram.