On June 16, 2015 my wife and I visited the 9/11 memorial museum. Like anyone who has visited the museum it brought back memories and emotions of that horrible day in our nation’s history. We all know exactly where we were and what we were doing when we witnessed the attack on our nation. I remember experiencing feelings of anger, fear, sorrow, confusion and a longing for revenge all at the same time. We all felt helpless as we watched our first responders risk their lives before our very eyes. In the months to come we all saw more and more images of the carnage and heard many stories of great heroism and sacrifice. On that day all of us were changed forever.
As we walked through the museum I just knew I had to make a statement of how I felt, the best way I know how, with metal sculpture. I immediately began working on the sculpture you see before you. I titled it “Ascension Day” I incorporated in steel my visualization of what I experienced during my visit. The base symbolizes pieces of the forever altered fallen skyline, the broken heart is for the families of all the lost souls, the twisted and tortured metal pieces of a fallen landmark, the hideous smoke rising to the heavens and the trident are all represented in this piece. While making this sculpture I quickly realized that I could never bring myself to sell it. It does not belong with me. It belongs to those who perished, their families and to all our brave first responders. This piece in some way was a healing exercise for me and a reminder that, freedom isn’t free.