Koekoe Art and Koekoe Pots was established in August 2007 by Sanet Koekemoer, co-owner of Amakoekoe Guest Lodge. Being a full time musician, playing for the various symphony orchestras in Johannesburg, Gauteng, she uses her free time to work in her on-site studio at Amakoekoe Guest Lodge. The Lodge serves as a gallery to exhibit her colourful paintings and ceramic works, and the units were decorated by her.

About the artist

Sanet was born on 30 November 1969, eldest daughter of Jeep and Santjie Hofmeyr, in Rynfield, Benoni.

Sanet was a very creative little girl, always busy with something arty. Whether it was a uniquely decorated cupcake (with the accompanying mess in the kitchen), or an interesting collection of acrylic paint spills on the carpet of her bedroom, colour has always been her main passion. She took up art classes at the age of 11 and displayed quite a bit of talent. She participated in Eisteddfods, where her works of art received very high remarks.

However painting was not the only talent she displayed – she started playing the piano at the age of 7, which she studied throughout her high school years. After matriculating she attended the University of Pretoria to study music. She obtained her BMus degree in 1992, followed by BMus Honours (Performing Arts) in 1994, with percussion as her main instrument.

After finishing as a semi-finalist in the 1994 SABC Music Prize competition for orchestral instruments, she started her performance career as a percussionist. She worked with acclaimed orchestra’s including the National Symphony Orchestra, PACT Orchestra (State Theatre Pretoria), Pro Musica Orchestra (Roodepoort), National Chamber Orchestra (Mmbatho) and KZN Philharmonic Orchestra among others.

In 2000 she started working with the newly formed Johannesburg Philharmonic Orchestra and the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra. She is currently freelancing as a percussionist with the Johannesburg Festival Orchestra

In 2000 Sanet married Andre Koekemoer, and together they opened Amakoekoe Guest Lodge in Honeydew, Johannesburg. This was a huge challenge for Sanet as it was her task to decorate all of the rooms. Each room has its own character and theme, all including original paintings and art works by Sanet.

Amakoekoe Guest Lodge today serves a dual purpose – quality accommodation and conferencing on the one hand and a living art gallery exhibiting vibrant paintings and ceramics created by Sanet.

Koekoe pots “hatched” in the summer of 2007 – the name derived from their surname – Koekemoer!

A description of Sanet’s art work in her own words; “I strive to create pieces true to my nature, getting inspiration from Nature’s wonderful colours, a beautiful piece of fabric or even a majestic Beethoven Sympony! With clay I create “canvasses” to paint on, always adhering to my first love – fine art – and my absolute passion for colour”