Santie Cronje Artist
Art & Early Days
From the paintings in my parents house, to my early years of making Art at school, my interest in Creativity has guided me on an interesting journey. I can still remember the first drawings I were proud of in Biology, but would have never imagined a career in the Arts, becoming a full time Artist and eventually owning a beautiful Concept Gallery in Tirau, New Zealand.
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... a beautiful country that I have called home now for over 22 years.
A Career in the Arts
Deciduus & Santie
I have worked with Galleries in New Zealand since 2008 and have been involved in many group and solo exibitions. My creative journey took a more involved turn in 2018 when my partner Shane and I decided to open a space that showcases everything we are passionate about. Art & Indoor Plants and New Zealand Made. Deciduus & Santie has grown into a beautiful space that we are very proud of and along with my work and Shane's plant collection, we represent some wonderful New Zealand artists and makers that we've met in our walks of life.
Next time when you pass through Tirau, make sure to visit us at 23 Main Road. The Gallery is open Monday - Saturday from 10am - 4pm. I am in the Gallery on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays if you'd like to chat about a work.
I look forward to connecting with you.
Santie
Santie Cronje Artist | CV
Exhibition News & History 2016 - 2021
2022
Group Show (Deciduus & Santie | June)
Group Show (Hospice Orewa Fundraiser | June)
Group Show (Art at Eden Park | September)
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.