Contemporary Aboriginal Artist, Rheanna Lotter, created an artwork that was featured on Specsavers' latest limited edition glasses. Not only did these frames sell out in record time, but they also raised an impressive $125,000 to help The Foundation end avoidable blindness for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
As part of their mutual goal to close the gap in eye health for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across Australia, Specsavers and The Fred Hollows Foundation joined joined forces to launch two limited edition frames.
The project raised $125,000 for The Foundation’s sight restoring work in Australia, to ensure more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples can access high quality eye care and eyewear.
The frames feature the artwork of contemporary Aboriginal artist Rheanna Lotter. Rheanna is a proud Yuin nation woman who creates and sells her artwork through her business,
Ngandabaa.
The artwork featured, entitled
‘Saltwater Dreamin’, is a story about sustainability.
“This painting shows our incredible waterways. We must always remember the importance of caring for them and it’s our job to ensure we maintain and sustain our environment for future generations,” artist Rheanna said.
“I’m very passionate about preservation, and that extends beyond the environment and is what drew me to this project. It’s been interesting to see my artwork translated onto glasses. Knowing that every pair will make a real difference in the Aboriginal community as well as raise awareness of Aboriginal Art and its importance in culture makes it a project I really wanted to be involved in. With the glasses coming out just in time for Christmas, I encourage everyone to give the gift of sight, whether it’s a gift to yourself or a loved one,” Rheanna added.
The Foundation’s Director of Program Implementation in Oceania, which includes the Indigenous Australia Program, Jaki Adams-Barton, welcomed this latest project.
“It’s essential that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples have access to good quality eye screening services and glasses,” Jaki said.
“Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are three times more likely to suffer vision loss or blindness than non-Indigenous Australians. At the moment, our mob are going blind simply because the health system is not meeting our eye health needs. The funds raised through the sale of these limited edition frames will go towards funding projects that will help provide eye care through Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations, to ensure access to high quality, culturally safe, patient centric eye care services.” Jaki added.
Specsavers Director of Optometry Ben Ashby said Specsavers has been a proud partner of The Fred Hollows Foundation since 2011 and to date has donated over $3.5 million to support their Indigenous Australia Program.
Previous limited edition frames have raised more than $300,000 for The Foundation, including artwork from renowned Aboriginal artist Gumatj leader, Peter Datjing Burarrwanga and two works by the late Aboriginal artist, Langaliki Langaliki.
“We believe that everyone should have access to quality eye care and we’re passionate about working with The Fred Hollows Foundation to close the gap by improving the delivery of eye health services and improving patient outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. With the sale of each pair of limited edition glasses, we’re investing in the future of eye care for communities that really need it,” Ben added.
For more information, you can visit Specsavers’ website
here.
PHOTO CREDIT: Specsavers (2020)