A Tear in the Glass
Mary Ryllis Clark
Anchor Books Australia
‘Learning to read objects is like learning to read oneself.’ – Nina Stanton
Nina Stanton (1948-2009), curator and director of museums and cultural heritage sought to find out if there were underlying emotional causes for her cancer diagnosis by exploring the connection she felt with fine art and decorative objects. With the aim of searching for understanding Stanton examines and documents 100 pieces from The Johnston Collection. Unable to complete this work, she entrusted writer and friend Mary Ryllis Clark to continue her journey.
A series of personal writings paired with images and descriptions of each of the 100 items displayed throughout this memoir are deep reflections on Stanton’s life, and the things that connected her to her world.