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.