berta / bio

Santa creates visual narratives - formed by reality, experiences and fiction. In her artistic practice she is interested in emotion and explores the emotional states and environments she inhabits. Santa collects memories, characters and personifications that reflects on personal observations. Through painting she weaves a continuous narrative—part autobiography, part exploration of the zeitgeist, culture, and the world around her.

Santa Kristiāna Krūze (b. 1996) is a Latvian-born artist working in Riga. She graduated from the Art Academy of Latvia in 2020 (Functional Design Department) and the Riga School of Design and Art in 2016 (Sculpture Department). She also co-founded the artist collective Trīs, which found refuge in a historic building on Alksnāja Street. Inspired by the space, they opened the doors of “Alksnājs” not only to art lovers but also to fellow artists, frequently curating themed group exhibitions.

EXHIBITIONS

2025

Beyond the bent twig, Museum of Pacific & Oceanic Arts, Riga, Latvia

Serde Open Studio, Serde residency, Aizpute, Latvia

2024

Historical scent, RTU Liepāja Academy humanities and arts center gallery, Liepāja, Latvia

Symbiosis, Per Form Studio, Riga, Latvia

Young Painter’s Prize, Vilnius Paveiksu Galery, Vilnius, Lithuania

Historical scent, Viskaļi, Riga, Latvia

Symbiosis, Kefīrs studio, Kazdanga, Latvia

POP UP LOGS, cultural space “Alksnājs”, Riga, Latvia

RAT FUNERAL, Viskaļi, Riga, Latvia

POP UP DONS, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia

2023

CIRCUS OF LIFE, Per Form Studio, LV 
POP UP DEATH, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia
POP UP SHREK, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia
POP UP GOD, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia
POP UP SEX, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia

2022
Personālizstāde, MASA studio, Teātra iela 12, Riga, Latvia
POP UP CIRCUS, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia
POP UP VOL2, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia
POP UP VOL1, cultural space "Alksnājs", Riga, Latvia

2020
FRESH MEAT FOR CRITIQUE, Art Academy of Latvia, Riga, Latvia

2016
Graduation exhibition, Riga Design and arts school, Riga, Latvia

AWARDS / ACCOLADES

2024 Finalist at Young Painter's Prize Vilnius, Lithuania

EDUCATION

2016 - 2020 Art Academy of Latvia - Functional Design department, bachelor's degree

2012 - 2016 Riga Design and Arts school - Sculpture department

2003 - 2012 Riga 6. highschool

RESIDENCIES

2025 Serde residency, Aizpute, Latvia

2024 Simbiosis plein air, Kazdanga, Latvia

WORK EXPERIENCE