Salvation Mountain is a folk art oasis created by Leonard Knight in the desert by the Salton Sea in Niland CA, about an hour and a half drive from Palm Springs.
Leonard created the mountain out of bales of hay and desert clay mixed with water, then he painted them with donated paint, to celebrate his message of “God is Love” and share it with the world.
As his website attests:
Leonard’s passion has lovingly created this brilliant “outsider art ” masterpiece resplendent with not only biblical and religious scripture such as the Lord’s Prayer, John 3:16, and the Sinner’s Prayer, but also including flowers, trees, waterfalls, suns, bluebirds, and many other fascinating and colorful objects. Salvation Mountain must be seen to be fully appreciated as those who have made the journey will attest. Its 50 foot height and 150 foot breadth is made totally of local adobe clay and donated paint and is truly unique in the United States and probably the world.
These photos were taken on a visit in April, 2007.
Leonard Knight has built Salvation Mountain out of the desert by coating bales of hay with clay and building the mountain layer by layer. The paint is donated by area residents, as is much of his equipment. He’s built rooms and a chapel and a museum out of hay and clay, and he’s been working on this project for the last 23 years.
Leonard Knights official webpage Salvation Mountain
Off The Map – video of Leonard from PBS
Slab City website of a guy who’s mad at Leonard
PAGE TWO — More Photos of Salvation Mountain
What a wonderful and unusual gift built by visionary artist Leonard Knight. Leonard created the mountain out of bales of hay and desert clay mixed with water, then he painted them with donated paint, to celebrate his message of “God is Love” and share it with the world. The building would definitely benefit from house siding to protect it from rain and sun, if not its unique shape and artistic colors.
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