Garth Hoets

Garth was born in Johannesburg, 1944 and educated at the King Edwards VII High School. He originally graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand with a degree in Chemistry and Marine Biology. While teaching at a high school in Johannesburg he started part-time pottery classes with his brother, Digby Hoets.

After embarking on a farming venture, in the Northern Province, Garth Started teaching pottery part-time as well as holding small exhibitions and workshop demonstrations locally. Eventually he moved to the Kwa-Zulu Natal midlands and started a pottery studio where he teaches and produces work for various exhibitions and galleries.

His work is both functional and decorative. He produces both electric fired stoneware as well as gas fired reduction stoneware. The decorative inspiration for most pieces comes from various aspects found in nature, whether be abstract or realistic.

Garth was a member as well as the chairman of the Natal Committee of the Association of Potters of Southern Africa (APSA) for a number of years. He was nominated as a selector and judge for past Natal regional and National exhibition entries. He participated in most regional and national exhibitions since 1981.

He currently resides in Hilton where he still teaches and produces ware, some on a commission to various well known lodges and conference centres.

Information courtesy of the artist.