Between 1938 and 1942, Hekman studied at the Academie Kunstoefening in Arnhem. There, he was taught by prominent sculptors such as Jacobs van den Hof and Frans Zwollo Jr., who strongly influenced his technical craftsmanship and sense of form. Early in his career, he exhibited alongside young artists such as Loekie Metz, Jan van Luijn, and Pieter d’Hont, placing him among a new generation of Dutch sculptors.

Hekman worked with a wide variety of materials, including bronze, sandstone, brick, ceramics, and water. His oeuvre encompasses both monumental sculptures and integrated artworks for buildings and public spaces. His style is characterized by clear design in which figurative elements are often combined with a monumental and timeless appearance.

One of his most famous works is *Feest der Muzen* (1959), a group of sculptures located near the Stadsschouwburg in Utrecht. This work symbolizes the arts and forms a beloved part of the Utrecht cityscape. In addition to his sculpture, Hekman was active as a medallist and designed various coins, medals, and commemorative medals, through which he was able to demonstrate his craftsmanship on a smaller scale as well.

With his versatile oeuvre and his contribution to both monumental art and numismatic design, Joop Hekman is regarded as an important representative of 20th-century Dutch sculpture.