Art & Early Life

From the paintings in my parents house, to my early years of making art at school. My interest in art has guided me on an interesting creative journey, from the first drawings I were proud of in Biology, to fulfilling a dream of becoming a full time artist and eventually the owner of a beautiful Concept Gallery and Plant Boutique along with my partner Shane.

Born in South Africa, I studied art as a major subject in High School and completed a Bachelor's of Arts at the University of Pretoria in 1993, majoring in Art History and Philosophy. I travelled extensively during my 20's and spent a memorable six months in Europe, 'Aupairing', visiting Art Museums and soaking up European History and Culture.

A three month sailing journey in 1998 took me from Cape Town, South Africa to Gibraltar from where I flew to the UK. I then met a Kiwi and after some more travelling, finally arrived in New Zealand in 1999. My life as an adult started in Aotearoa New Zealand, the Land of the long white cloud... a beautiful country that I have called home now for over 21 years.

Art | Work Life

Deciduus & Santie

In 2018 Shane and I opened a Concept Gallery & Plant Boutique in Tirau. Deciduus & Santie is our passion and we are very proud to represent some wonderful New Zealand artists and makers along with an extensive collection of my work and a beautiful selection of indoor plants by Shane.

If you are passing through Tirau, you can visit us at 23 Main Road. We are open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 4pm. I am in the Gallery on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays and Shane is in the gallery Tuesday-Thursday.

Santie

Artist CV

Exhibition News & History 2016 - 2021

2021

Solo Show 'Whispers of the Heart' - The Mandarin Tree. (Online due to Covid)
Photographic Show 'Pause & Reflect' - Deciduus & Santie (Online due to Covid)
Birthday Show - 'Walk with Me' at Deciduus & Santie - Tirau NZ.

2020

Duo Show 'Rhythm in Form' with Diane Parker - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau, NZ.
Group Show 'Monochrome' - The Mandarin Tree, Gordonton, NZ.
Solo Show 'Fragile Lands' - Quirky Fox, Hawera, NZ (went online due to COVID)

2019
Duo Show 'Echo' with Claudia Aalderink - The Mandarin Tree, Gordonton NZ.
Group Show 'Land & Sea' - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau NZ
Group Show 'Lepus Fantasticus' - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau NZ
Duo Show 'Connections' with Diane Parker - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau NZ.

2018
Group Show 'Joy' - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau NZ.
Group Show '12 Artists for Christmas' - Quirky Fox, Hawera NZ.
Group Show 'Awakening' - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau NZ.
Group Show 'The Forest Floor' - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau NZ.
Gallery Inaugural Show 'Nature' - Deciduus & Santie, Tirau NZ.
Opened Deciduus & Santie - 5 May 2018 - Tirau, New Zealand.

2017
Solo Show - 'A Gentleman's Delight' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ.
Group Show - Quirky Fox Gallery.
Open Studios 'Cambridge Autumn Festival' - Cambridge NZ

2016
Solo Show 'Owl and Pussycat' - The Garden Art Studio, Cambridge NZ

Exhibition History 2008 - 2015

2015
Artist Studio Show 'Winged Tapestries' - Cambridge NZ

2014
Opened Santie Cronje Artist Studio in Cambridge - a working space that was open to the public.
Solo Show 'The Language of Flowers' - The Framing Workshop, Hamilton NZ.
Solo Show 'The Travelling Tulip' - Soul Gallery, Hamilton NZ.

2013
Group Show - Kina Gallery, New Plymouth NZ.
Artist Wall - New Zealand Art Show - Wellington NZ.
Solo Show 'Through Innocent eyes' - Soul Gallery, Hamilton NZ.

2012
Duo Show 'Of Paint and Clay' with Aaron Scythe - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ.
Artist Wall 'New Zealand Art Show' - Wellington NZ.
Solo Show 'Close to my Heart' - Soul Gallery NZ.
Group Show 'Spinning a yarn' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ.

2011
Four Artist Show 'Four Hands tickle me pink' - The Artist's Room, Dunedin.
Three Artist Show 'Something Dreamlike' - Matakana Gallery, Matakana NZ.
Group Show 'Grass Roots' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ
Solo Show 'Return to you' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ
New Zealand Artshow - Wellington NZ

2010
Show 'Endangered' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ.
Three Artist Show 'Three Birds and a Feather' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ

2009
Solo Show 'If Godwits couldn't fly' - Inspirit Gallery, Cambridge NZ

2008
Solo Show 'Creative Journeys' - Empire Gallery, Cambridge NZ.
Group Show 'Coasting 2008' - Waikato Artspost, Hamilton NZ.