Cathartic Moment

A conceptual sculpture of a figure, with a dark, heavy torso and a bright, reflective chest containing small falling men.
Wall sculpture of a figure with a reflective chest and dark torso, symbolizing a journey to healing from trauma
The ethereal, ghost-like reflection of a sculpture on a wall, where the figure's torso appears to vanish, revealing only bright insets.
A sculpture of a figure with a dark torso and bright chest, casting an ethereal, ghostly reflection on the adjacent wall.
Detail photo of the "Cathartic Moment" sculpture, showing the physical form alongside its wall reflection, where the dark torso vanishes.
Detail photo of Mike Silverman's "Cathartic Moment" sculpture, showing the form shot with a screen to minimize reflections.
Abstract reflection on a wall, showing bright, fragmented shapes and "falling men" created by a hidden sculpture's light.
A wall sculpture of a figure made from upcycled e-waste. The torso is dark and matted, contrasting sharply with the polished, reflective metal of the chest and head
Conceptual art sculpture of a figure with its arms thrown back and chest open, symbolizing a moment of profound release. The piece is made of dark and reflective e-waste.
A sculpture of a human figure by Mike Silverman. Its lower body is made of upcycled hard drive platters and its upper body is made of blue motherboard.
A conceptual sculpture by Mike Silverman, 'Cathartic Moment.' The piece is a figure in a pose of release, composed of a dark, non-reflective torso and a head and limbs made from hard drive platters.
A close-up of 'Cathartic Moment's' reflective chest, showing multiple small, dark figures embedded within the metal, as if falling or being released.
A side view of 'Cathartic Moment's' reflective chest, showing that the inset figures are raised off the chest at differing heights.

Cathartic Moment, from my Reflections series, captures the freedom of a profound release from emotional trauma. It depicts the moment when the artist experienced a nearly complete lifting of the fog of PTSD by choosing to face it rather than fighting it.

The bright elements in the reflection’s torso highlight the journey to healing through embracing fear without resistance. Just letting it hurt.

The dark torso, heavy and unreflective, houses the past—the inner struggle, fragmentation, and the pain that had been locked away yet manifested through paralyzing anxiety of PTSD.

The spotlight functions as both revelation and metaphor: it creates the reflection in which the torso vanishes – the trauma's hold is broken.

This visual disappearance is the true catharsis. It is a moment of letting go, where fear is exposed, held, and finally released. The “falling men” within signify that release.  The piece is a universal tribute to the moment when falling becomes flying.

By comparing the solid form with its fleeting reflection, the viewer is invited to witness the moment when the past is no longer a burden, and letting go becomes a path to healing.

44"h x 54"w x 3"d: hard drive platter, motherboard, platter spacing rings, nail polish 

A Note on This Piece: You may notice the sculpture's appearance varies across these photos. All the images showing the full sculpture without its reflection were taken at the same gallery show; the differences you see are caused purely by shifts in lighting and viewing angle. This 'living surface' is an intentional feature of the work, and it will bring the same dynamic quality to your home.‍ ‍