Glen Canyon Reimagined: Dawn Kish’s Photos Reveal Hidden Beauty

A Journey Through Time: Rediscovering Glen Canyon’s Hidden Beauty

Back in the 1950s, Tad Nichols captured the haunting beauty of Glen Canyon before it was submerged by Lake Powell. Though Nichols passed away in 2000, his photographs remain the sole testament to a landscape now hidden beneath water.

Recently, as water levels have receded, Flagstaff photographer Dawn Kish has undertaken a unique project: capturing the reemerging vistas of Glen Canyon using Nichols’ original camera. Her work is now showcased alongside Nichols’ in a new exhibit.

The exhibit, titled “Glen Canyon Exposed: Now and Then,” is available for viewing until April at the John Wesley Powell River History Museum in Green River, Utah.

Ryan Heinsius: What drove you to document Glen Canyon in this manner?

Dawn Kish: Curiosity was a big part of it. Glen Canyon was hidden from us, submerged and forgotten. Nichols’ work has always inspired me, and seeing his book “Images of a Lost World” in 1999 made me wonder about this enigmatic place. I never believed I would witness it in my lifetime. When I heard the lake levels had dropped, I felt compelled to document the change. My love for photography and nature drove me there.

RH: Did experiencing Glen Canyon make it more real for you?

DK: Absolutely, I was entranced. The canyon’s natural beauty is astounding, and I kept questioning why it was ever submerged. Lake Powell is stunning in its own right, but I am captivated by rivers and canyons. The glimpses of the canyon left me eager to continue exploring and capturing its essence.

RH: Did using Nichols’ camera give you a unique perspective?

DK: Yes, it felt like I was in dialogue with Tad, asking him for guidance on where to go and what to capture. It was a privilege to use the same camera that he used to document this area before the dam was built.

RH: Considering the environmental challenges Glen Canyon faces, what do you hope this project accomplishes?

DK: Art has a profound ability to influence. While data and statistics are often overlooked, art can inspire and motivate change. Thomas Moran’s paintings helped establish the Grand Canyon as a national park. If my work can inspire people to protect these natural wonders, then I have achieved my goal. Photography and film are my tools to spark that inspiration.

RH: Thank you for sharing your insights.

DK: Thank you. It’s been a pleasure to recount this journey.