The Owl House

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

　　    In 1945, Helen began decorating her home herself using cement, glass, and wire, and later created sculptures in her garden. In 1964, a Black man named Koos Malgas joined her to help create sculptures in the garden, but at that time, due to South Africa’s apartheid policy, the relationship between Helen and Koos was often met with suspicion and criticism.

　　    Helen’s artistic inspiration largely 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 which faced east. During Helen’s lifetime, these artworks were often ridiculed and doubted—few supported them and even fewer showed interest in these “unremarkable sculptures.” One can only imagine the determination she must have had to complete them. In 1976, Helen’s eyesight deteriorated severely, and she eventually took her own life by ingesting caustic soda. These sculptures only began to attract attention after her death. 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: Africa Country/Region: South Africa Province/State: Eastern Cape Province City: Nieu Bethesda