The Moving Story of a Visit to Salvation Mountain, An Enormous Art Installation in the California Desert

A new episode of This Happened Here by Seeker Stories tells the tale of a trip Minneapolis-based photographer Joe Bielawa took in 2009 to Salvation Mountain, a man-made, three-story art installation in the desert outside Niland, California. Built by hand out of mostly adobe clay straw over 30 years by folk artist Leonard Knight, the structure is covered in boldly colored patterns, proclamations of love for God, and Bible references. During his visit, Bielawa captured dozens of color-drenched photos and even met the artist himself, who has since passed away.

photos by Joe Bielawa