Owl House

The Owl House

The Owl House is an art gallery built by artist Helen Martins in Nieu Bethesda, Eastern Cape Province, South Africa, to commemorate her deceased parents. In 1991, it became a national heritage site of South Africa and also one of the country’s most famous cultural attractions.

In 1945, Helen began decorating her home herself using cement, glass, and wire. Later, she created sculptures in her garden. In 1964, Koos Malgas, a Black man, joined her to help create sculptures in the garden. However, at that time, due to South Africa's apartheid policies, their relationship was constantly suspected and criticized.

Helen's artistic inspiration mostly came from stories in the Christian Bible, the poetry of Persian poet Omar Khayyam, and the works of William Blake. Her sculptures mainly featured owls, camels, and human figures, most of them facing east. During her lifetime, these works were often mocked and doubted, receiving little support or interest—hardly anyone cared about these “unremarkable sculptures.” One can only imagine the perseverance it took for her to complete them. In 1976, Helen’s eyesight deteriorated severely, and she eventually committed suicide by ingesting caustic soda. It wasn’t until after her death that these sculptures gained attention. According to her wishes, her home—the Owl House—became a museum and is now a renowned local tourist attraction, drawing many domestic and international art enthusiasts.

The Owl House

Must-visit reason: One of South Africa’s most famous cultural attractions

Continent where the attraction is located: Africa【Africa】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: South Africa

Province/State where the attraction is located: Eastern Cape Province

City where the attraction is located: Nieu Bethesda