Hardy Botha was born in Kroonstad, and he obtained a Diploma in Fine Art from the Orange Free State Technical College in 1967. His studies were followed by a period working as a set designer for the Cape Performing Arts Board. He also spent time performing as a clown during 1972. While making humorous commentary on the human condition and political arena, the circus and theatrical themes are deeply rooted in the artist’s whimsical paintings, lithographs and etchings.

In 1975 Hardy Botha was the youngest artist selected to represent South Africa at the São Paulo Biennale. On returning to South Africa, he held his first solo exhibition in Stellenbosch and has subsequently participated in numerus solo exhibitions throughout the country including the 1979 Cape Town Biennial. While continuing to exhibit, the artist spent many years teaching at both the universities of Stellenbosch and Cape Town.

The Stellenbosch Art Museum held a major retrospective of Hardy Botha’s work in 2008. Hardy Botha is represented in numerous public art collections in South Africa. Marilyn Martin, former director of the Iziko South African National Art Gallery said the following of the artist: “Hardy is a rare example of an artist who can tell his story, convey his message without forfeiting the intricacies of technique, above all the artist as magician and prophet”.