ART
The Owl House
Weird to some, and wonderful to others, the Owl House is a work of outsider art created by Helen Martins between 1945 and 1976. Driven to despair by the dullness of her daily life, she took steps to transform her world with light, colour and texture.
Miss Helen, as she was known by many, was a retiring figure in the village, who employed local labourers, most notably Koos Malgas, to help her construct her Camel Yard which she filled with its many sculptures of bottle-skirted hostesses, mermaids, camels and pilgrims, all journeying to a mystical east.
Miss Helen’s imagination transformed humble materials such as cement, glass, mirrors and wire into a secret, magical world that she shared with few, drawing upon Bible stories, the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, the Orient, and everyday objects – all of which blended to create a personal cosmology.
Her Owl House touched the lives of many while she was alive, even inspiring the South African playwright Athol Fugard to pen the much-loved play, ‘The Road to Mecca‘, which was later made into a film.
Click to take a Free 360 Virtual Tour of the Owl House.
Visit the Museum & Gift Shop
Visit the Owl House Gift Shop in the Helen Martins Museum in Nieu-Bethesda for everything from pillows, bags, shoes, watches, earrings and mugs as well as literature related to the Owl House. The Owl House Gift Shop is an attractive addition to the Owl House and makes the visit even more interesting and enjoyable.
Make sure to visit the shop to find local arts and crafts, literature and photos of the Owl House on your next visit.
Rates
Tickets may be purchased at the visitors’ centre entrance in Martin Street.
Special tariffs are available for groups.
Payment Options
Cash & Visa / Mastercards are currently accepted.
Pet Friendly
Contact us
Contact Details
Venique Barendse – Manager
Tel:
049 841 1733
E-mail:
[email protected]
André Marais – Chairman 2023
E-mail:
[email protected]
Website:
www.theowlhouse.co.za
Physical Address
Martins Street
Nieu – Bethesda
Hours
Please contact The Owl House directly to verify trading hours – which might change throughout the year.
Visit The Owl House Website for updates.
Check our website for updates.
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