Born in 1951 in Vereeniging, South Africa, Willem Boshoff studied at the Johannesburg College of Art and later at the Technikon Witwatersrand. He emerged as a significant figure in the South African conceptual art scene during the late 20th century, gaining recognition for his meticulous craftsmanship and intellectual rigor.

Boshoff is widely recognized for his large-scale installations that incorporate wood, stone, and language, such as his Garden of Words series. His practice frequently engages with the complexities of South African identity, often cataloging indigenous flora or obscure linguistic terms to highlight cultural marginalization and the fragility of human knowledge.

He remains a prominent figure in the international contemporary art circuit, with his work held in numerous public and private collections. His ongoing practice continues to bridge the gap between scientific classification and poetic expression, maintaining his status as a foundational voice in contemporary African conceptualism.