James Gavin (Forest) Younge was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. From 1965 to 1968 he studied at the Witwatersrand Technical College gaining a national Art Teachers Diploma; between 1972 and 1976 he studied philosophy and art history at UNISA and gained a BA degree.
In 1972 and 1973 he lectured in graphics at the UN(P) and from 1973 to 1975 he lectured in sculpture at the Natal Technical College.
In 1975 he started teaching sculpture at the Michaelis School. He has participated in numerous group exhibitions in South Africa and abroad; he has received numerous Awards and has undertaken public commissions. His work is represented in public and private collections in SA and abroad.