Hoek Swaratlhe is a South African born photographer who was introduced to the medium in 2008. As a young boy from Soweto, he never imagined he would have a career in photography. In 2013 he met photographer Johann Barnard who took him under his wing, mentored him and hired him as an assistant in his team. Hoek’s photographic interest centres around his community, its people and urban culture, which he successfully executes through his unique street and studio photographs.
He has worked and collaborated with many industry organizations such as Basement in The Arts and a recoding label called Sound Visual. In 2015 he became part of a two-year artist residency program at Kopanong Art Studio Residency Program, Pretoria Arts Museum. Photographer Francois Booyens was a pinnacle factor in introducing Hoek to studio photography and cementing his interest with commercial imagery. After completing the Advanced Programme in Photography at Market Photo Workshop, Hoek continues to work closely with Francious Booyens and many leading industry professionals
