Hailing from South Africa, artist Santie Cronje took a leap of faith and moved to New Zealand in 1999, following a chance meeting with a New Zealander in the UK a year earlier. Since embarking on her journey of showcasing her art in New Zealand galleries in 2008, Santie's artwork has deeply explored themes of moving to a new country, the struggles of fitting into a new culture, and the search for one's own identity in a place that feels foreign. She became known for her imaginative and symbolic works for well over a decade.
However, the year 2019 and the onset of the global pandemic served as a turning point in Santie's artistic career. This phase encouraged her to return to an expressive style of painting, reminiscent of her early days of creativity following her graduation from the University of Pretoria, South Africa, and just before her move to New Zealand. As a result, her style has evolved to become more painterly, with a focus that is deeply embedded in celebrating the beauty of the land not just physically, but also emotionally.
This shift has unveiled a newfound level of freedom and joy in her artistic endeavours. Her paintings have over the years, gained recognition in New Zealand, featuring in art calendars, articles, and books, such as 'New Zealand 'Gallery' by Dennis Robinson and the more recent '101 Contemporary Waikato Artists' by Peter Dornauf. Her work is appreciated and collected by art lovers both in New Zealand and around the globe.
Santie Cronje Artist Exhibition History 2016 - 24
2024
▪︎Duo Show 'In Good Company' with Diane Parker at Deciduus Gallery, Taupo. ▪︎Groupshow 'Ten' - The Mandarin Tree. ▪︎Groupshow 'Journeyscapes' at Kina NZ Design and Art, New Plymouth. ▪︎Groupshow 'Thirty' The Framing Workshop Hamilton. ▪︎Solo Show 'Finding Form' Deciduus Gallery Taupo. ▪︎Groupshow 'Elemental' Deciduus Gallery Taupo.
2023
▪︎Solo Show Evoke' with an opening at Sakura Sanctuary, Cambridge.
2022
▪︎October - Rejoining Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge ▪︎Group Show (Deciduus Gallery ▪︎Group Show (Hospice Orewa Fundraiser | June)
2021
▪︎Solo Show 'Whispers of the Heart' - The Mandarin Tree. ▪︎Photographic Show 'Pause & Reflect' - Deciduus Gallery. ▪︎Birthday Show - 'Walk with Me' at Deciduus Gallery Tirau
2020
▪︎Duo Show 'Rhythm in Form' with Diane Parker - Deciduus Gallery Tirau. ▪︎Group Show 'Monochrome' - The Mandarin Tree. ▪︎Solo Show 'Fragile Lands' - Quirky Fox, Hawera
2019
▪︎Duo Show 'Echo' with Claudia Aalderink - The Mandarin Tree. ▪︎Group Show 'Land & Sea' - Deciduus Gallery. ▪︎Group Show 'Lepus Fantasticus' - Deciduus Gallery. ▪︎Duo Show 'Connections' with Diane Parker - Deciduus Gallery Tirau.
2018
▪︎Group Show 'Joy' - Deciduus Gallery Tirau. ▪︎Group Show '12 Artists for Christmas' - Quirky Fox, Hawera. ▪︎Group Show 'Awakening' - Deciduus Gallery. ▪︎Group Show 'The Forest Floor' - Deciduus Gallery Tirau. ▪︎Inaugural Show 'Nature' - Deciduus Gallery Opening
2017
▪︎Solo Show - 'A Gentleman's Delight' - Inspirit Gallery, Tamahere. ▪︎Group Show - Quirky Fox Gallery, Hawera. ▪︎Open Studios 'Cambridge Autumn Festival'.
2016
▪︎Solo Show 'Owl and Pussycat' - The Garden Art Studio, Cambridge.
Santie Cronje Artist Exhibition History 2008-15
2015
▪︎Artist Studio Show 'Winged Tapestries' - Cambridge.
2014
▪︎Solo Show 'The Language of Flowers' - The Framing Workshop, Hamilton. ▪︎Solo Show 'The Travelling Tulip' - Soul Gallery, Hamilton.
2013
▪︎Group Show - Kina Gallery, New Plymouth. ▪︎Artist Wall - New Zealand Art Show - Wellington. ▪︎Solo Show 'Through Innocent eyes' - Soul Gallery, Hamilton.
2012
▪︎Duo Show 'Of Paint and Clay' with Aaron Scythe - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge. ▪︎Artist Wall 'New Zealand Art Show' - Wellington. ▪︎Solo Show 'Close to my Heart' - Soul Gallery, Hamilton. ▪︎Group Show 'Spinning a yarn' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge.
2011
▪︎Four Artist Show 'Four Hands tickle me pink' - The Artist's Room, Dunedin. ▪︎Three Artist Show 'Something Dreamlike' - Matakana Gallery, Matakana. ▪︎Group Show 'Grass Roots' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge. ▪︎Solo Show 'Return to you' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge. ▪︎New Zealand Artshow - Wellington.
2010
▪︎Show 'Endangered' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ.Three Artist Show 'Three Birds and a Feather' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge.
2009
▪︎Solo Show 'If Godwits couldn't fly' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge.
2008
▪︎Solo Show 'Creative Journeys' - Empire Gallery, Cambridge NZ.Group Show 'Coasting 2008' - Waikato Artspost, Hamilton.
Santie Cronje Artist
Deciduus Gallery
4/22 Marama Arcade Taupo
m. 0274774706
Hours:
Mon-Fri 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm
Sunday: Closed
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