Specsavers limited edition range on a mission to help close the Indigenous eye health gap

Specsavers launches new range of limited-edition frames in collaboration with sisters and Gurindji Waanyi contemporary Aboriginal artists, Sarrita and Tarisse King to support the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The new limited-edition range will go on sale from 4^th July with $25 from the sale of each frame going towards The Fred Hollows Foundation’s Indigenous Australia Program to help make eye care more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.

To date, Specsavers has contributed more than $7.6 million towards The Foundation’s programs in Australia. Now in its 13^th year of the partnership and with this 8^th limited-edition range, Specsavers and The Fred Hollows Foundation are working towards the mutual goal of closing the gap in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples eye health.

This year’s limited-edition range artists, Sarrita and Tarisse King, are second generation artists and the daughters of great indigenous artist William King Jungala.

Growing into prolific artists in their own right, Tarisse, based in NZ and Sarrita on Larrakia Country, Northern Territory, are always investigating other mediums to express their stories, which has resulted in a range of collaborations and public projects.

A collaboration between the sisters, this year’s limited-edition artwork, ‘My Country’s Story’, beautifully captures the diverse landscapes of Australia’s Top End, reflecting on the lives of families and communities who inhabit the land.

My Country’s Story is a fusion of two artworks: Tarisse King’s ‘My Country’ and Sarrita Kings Language of the Earth’.

The aerial view of ‘My Country reflects’ on different landscapes, and specifically references Australia’s Top End, where the King Sisters grew up. The artwork Language of the Earth can be seen to tear through the country reflecting on the families and communities who live on the land, with the different strokes and dots expressing the ever-changing growth of community, connection, and culture.

“Sarrita and I got together to tell a story on a canvas and ended up creating a painting that was reflective of us and our journey,” Tarisse explains.

“We have been painting this story in collaboration for years, half the canvas each, to create the work that you see on the limited-edition frames.

“To see our art, that tells our story, used to give back to our mob through the work of The Fred Hollows Foundation is so important to us. As an Aboriginal woman who practices storytelling, I want to use my skills to uplift my people, especially as we are predisposed to so many more issues than others and poor eye health is so common, especially in Indigenous communities.”

The King sisters have given permission for their artwork to be transferred onto the frames, with $25 from each pair sold donated to The Fred Hollows Foundation.

The limited-edition frames are available in store and online at Specsavers.com.au.

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About the artists

Tarisse King is a proud Indigenous woman, from the Gurindji and Waanyi First Nations people. She is the older sister to fellow artist, Sarrita King.

Tarisse’s ability to capture the complex and varied soul of the land has seen her achieve remarkable success. As well as featuring in numerous solo and group exhibitions, Tarisse is represented in galleries in every Australian state, as well as being included in many high profile Australian and international art collections.

As a mother currently living in New Zealand, her art practice has become an important medium in sharing her knowledge and preserving the traditions of her ancestors.

At 33 years old Sarrita King lives on Larrakia Country with her partner and two sons where she splits her time between the studio and family.
Sarrita’s work is intended to capture philosophies and elements of life that everyone can relate to and feel a connection to. This brings the viewer into the artwork and helps them to understand Aboriginal culture.

The Northern Territory continues to be the source of much of her creative inspiration along with the stories her father, the late, William King Jungala, shared with her.

Sarrita’s work strives to remain faithful to the old whilst embracing the new, demonstrating that indigenous art is not just about what has been, but about highlighting the here, the now and the future.

Sarrita first began exhibiting her work in Adelaide in 2006. In 2009 she was asked to exhibit in Paris at the Artcurial auction and exhibition. Sarrita’s artwork features in many collections around the world including the Western Australian Museum.

Sarrita’s artwork ‘Lightning’, 2017 was featured on the Specsavers limited-edition range of frames in 2021.

Closing the Eye Health Gap

Currently, 90% of vision loss experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples is treatable or preventable, and Specsavers and The Fred Hollows Foundation are aiming to change this.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults are three times more likely to have vision impairment or go blind than non-Indigenous Australians, and cataract is 12 times more common among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians than other Australians. Yet over one-third of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults have never had an eye exam.

Over the past 13 years, our donations have helped The Foundation, and its Program Partners, to:

128,000+

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people screened

13,500

treatments provided for Diabetic Retinopathy

4,600+

cataract surgeries conducted and a further 15,800 sight saving operations

1,100+

health care workers trained to deliver culturally responsive care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Specsavers is aiming to raise $500,000 through the sale of these limited-edition glasses for The Foundation.

FRED HOLLOWS 14

33152523 | 2 pairs single vision $199

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Limited edition glasses featuring artwork from sisters Tarisse and Sarrita King. Their artwork beautifully captures the diverse landscapes of Australia’s top end, reflecting on the lives of families and communities who inhabit the land. The strokes and dots symbolise the ever-changing growth of community, connection, and culture. These round frames feature nose pads and a burgundy painted rim to complement the artwork.

FRED HOLLOWS 13

33152509 | 2 pairs single vision $199

Download

Limited edition glasses featuring artwork from sisters Tarisse and Sarrita King. Their artwork beautifully captures the diverse landscapes of Australia’s top end, reflecting on the lives of families and communities who inhabit the land. The strokes and dots symbolise the ever-changing growth of community, connection, and culture. The frame front features a polished translucent burgundy acetate. These rectangular frames will suit most face shapes.

FRED HOLLOWS SUN RX 09

33152530 | 2 pairs single vision $199

Download

Limited edition glasses featuring artwork from sisters Tarisse and Sarrita King. Their artwork beautifully captures the diverse landscapes of Australia’s top end, reflecting on the lives of families and communities who inhabit the land. The strokes and dots symbolise the ever-changing growth of community, connection, and culture. These round sunglasses are crafted from polished acetate and feature a keyhole bridge.

FRED HOLLOWS SUN RX 10

33152547 | 2 pairs single vision $199

Download

Limited edition glasses featuring artwork from sisters Tarisse and Sarrita King. Their artwork beautifully captures the diverse landscapes of Australia’s top end, reflecting on the lives of families and communities who inhabit the land. The strokes and dots symbolise the ever-changing growth of community, connection, and culture. These square sunglasses are crafted from polished acetate and feature a keyhole bridge.