Kate Collie — Tram Chim
Weaving through the over 40 Tram Chim paintings is a story of ecological recovery and international cooperation. The story revolves around the Eastern Sarus Crane, a glorious bird that was pushed out of Viet Nam and to the brink of extinction when its wetland habitat was eradicated by the American military during the American war in Viet Nam. The events that led to the return of the cranes to Viet Nam and the creation of the Tram Chim Crane Reserve in the Mekong Delta, are a tribute to human determination and good will.
In the Tram Chim paintings the many branches of the Mekong River become red arteries, the life blood of the region, and the map of the wildlife reserve becomes a frame, a kite, and a shelter. The crane is Kate's personal emblem of faith and healing. Kate's aim is to draw attention to situations, like Tram Chim, where a cooperative blending of viewpoints - mirrored by a blending of visual languages in these paintings - has brought solutions to seemingly intractable problems.
Many of these works are now in private collections. Some are in art museums. A few are available for sale.
