For more than a year, Americans have struggled to move beyond the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001. The tragedy that gripped our nation created a special kind of torment for Steven C. Fleisch ’78, from Chatham, NJ.

“I literally laid awake at night for a month following the attacks,” said Fleisch, a New Jersey native and sculptor. “In my mind, I began thinking about what I could design that could release me from these feelings, these emotions.”

Fleisch knew he had to return to his studio and channel his angst into his work. The result is a hanging sculpture titled “WTC 9-11-01.”

“I just wanted it to be readily recognized by everyone,” said Fleisch. “It had to be simple enough so that everybody felt that connection when they first saw it.”

Last year, the piece was displayed in a show called “9/11: The Artists Respond,” held at The Arts Guild of Rahway in New Jersey. It may soon be seen on a much wider scale. A foundation formed by relatives of some of the victims of September 11 has already expressed interest in Fleisch’s work. They plan to forward the piece to the proper authorities for possible inclusion in the permanent World Trade Center Memorial. Fleisch has also shown his work to a firm that lost millions of dollars in artwork when the World Trade Center towers collapsed. They have indicated they might like the piece to be displayed in their new offices.

Such notoriety was not on Fleisch’s mind when he began the project.

“I knew the only way for me to get beyond the attacks was to create something that would memorialize it,” said Fleisch. “Whether it was seen by anyone, it didn’t matter at that point.”

The piece has three major components. The lattice exoskeleton is made of paper-covered foam that is sprayed with stainless steel. It represents the World Trade Center intact, before the attacks.

“You had to have that connection because the building was an icon. It was an architectural feat, whether you liked it or not,” said Fleisch.

Stretching out from the exoskeleton is a pair of hands that are made of stone. They are synonymous with the victims and their loved ones. The palms are raised skyward, indicating a calming release. Finally, a dove represents the spirit of lives lost in the terrorist attacks and the effort to attain peace following the attacks. The dove is made of a concrete-like substance.

“The process of creating this piece was as tension-filled and emotional as the event itself,” said Fleisch, who admits that all of his work is cathartic. “Once I created the piece, placed it on the wall and stood back, I felt weightless. There was a tremendous sense of release.”

If Fleisch’s work becomes part of the permanent World Trade Center memorial, it will represent a huge accomplishment for this former advertising account manager-turned-sculptor. At one time, Fleisch handled several advertising accounts for Fortune 500 companies. He has also worked as a carpenter, creating custom-built cabinets. An injury forced him to rethink his career path.

“It was the now-or-never point in my life,” said Fleisch, who spent months in recovery. “I decided that if I was going to pursue fine arts, I would have to do it now. I would see if my own work – from start to finish – would sell in a professional setting and be critically accepted.”

Fleisch began entering his work into shows and exhibitions. He also began receiving positive critical reviews.

“I don’t want to create art for shock value or work that will purposefully create controversy,” said Fleisch. “I just want to create work that is personal to me.”

Fleisch’s hometown of Chatham lost eleven people when the World Trade Center towers collapsed in New York. Town leaders want to create a memorial to those victims, and they have called on Fleisch to submit a sculpture for consideration. Called “Homeward Bound,” this piece will use steel beams from the former Trade Center towers. The names of the lives lost will be inscribed on the base of the sculpture.

“I want people to have a place where they can reflect,” said Fleisch regarding both of his pieces. “I want it to be a place for people to find solace.”