Whenever Rheanna Lotter picks up a blank canvas she is determined to leave viewers with a part of her identity.
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The Southern Highlands-raised artist has already achieved a lot in her short career with her Indigenous artworks featuring on the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic uniforms a particular highlight.
But it's her most recent venture that is actively making a difference in the lives of remote Aboriginal communities across the nation.
Lotter, a proud Yuin woman, has been invited by Specsavers to design the artwork for a special range of eyewear.
Working in conjunction with the Fred Hollows Foundation, Specsavers are donating $25 from each pair sold to help improve eyesight amongst Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, one in three of whom experience some form of vision impairment.
Lotter said it was empowering to see her life's work make such a difference.
"I just want to make a difference with my art," she told the Southern Highland News.
"It's been really cool to work with two wonderful organisations in Specsavers and the Fred Hollows Foundation, who are making such a difference in our remote communities.
"There are a lot of issues in our remote communities and they're not getting the screen time which is really unfortunate. Purchasing things like these glasses does make a difference.
"90 per cent of cases are avoidable, even just having resources such as clean water to wash faces, it's simple things like that."
It's not the first year Lotter has stepped up, with her design in 2020 calling on people to be mindful of their relationship with the fragile world around them.
In 2021, she's chosen to draw on a theme we've all struggled with at times during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"Last year there was a big focus on the environment, the theme was called 'saltwater dreaming' and that was all about how animals rely on us to look after them and how the decisions we make impact those around us," she explained.
"This year the artwork is called 'Unity' and it's all about coming together. Obviously COVID was hard on everyone and now they just want to belong and feel connected to friends and family.
"That was really important."
For Lotter, that unity is expressed most closely with her mother and fellow artist Wendy, who first taught her to paint in their Willow Vale home.
"I love the Highlands so a lot of my artwork will talk about where I grew up, which is in Willow Vale right near the bush," she said.
"My artwork always tells a story and connects back to my identity and who I am, and who I am is nothing without my mum.
"It's really important that I create artworks that she's proud of and feels connected to, it brings us together."
You can visit your local Specsavers store to learn more about the limited edition range. If you would like to donate to the Fred Hollows Foundation, please head here.
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