Summer Recommendations

What we're reading, watching, gifting and coveting
December 18, 2025
  • Summer invites a slower rhythm. 
     
    Space to read, watch intently, listen thoughtfully and sit with the artworks that move us.
     
    Members of the Otomys team offer their seasonal recommendations: what they're reading, watching and coveting.
     
    Consider this a guide to culture and colour for the warm weeks ahead.

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    Hannah Abbott, Co-Director

  • Gifting: Artwork for a loved one and why
    The greatest gift I have received in 2025 has been my seven-week-old godson, Banjo. I would love to gift him Souvenir du Village I or Royal Djambo Bird by French artist Hermentaire. Belle, Banjo's mum and I studied French together throughout our school years and Paris holds a special place in both of our hearts. Having met Hermentaire in Paris in November 2024, I feel the essence of that magical city in his work. Either of these original works on paper could sit beautifully in Banjo’s nursery now and become the first artwork he takes with him when he moves out of home. Hermentaire’s work invites the viewer to engage the imagination; to imagine is one of life’s greatest joys and over the years I will encourage Banjo to imagine and dream big! 
     
    Listening: Podcast or piece of music
    One of my favourite podcasts is Acquired. The series goes behind the scenes of some of the world’s biggest companies, unpacking their histories and evolution in remarkable detail. Each episode runs for two to three hours, making it perfect holiday listening. I would highly recommend their recent episode on Hermès - truly fascinating. One of our wonderful artists Caroline Collom has also shared with me an episode with Sean Scully on talk ART, which I’m very much looking forward to listening to and discussing with Caroline afterwards. Hannah Wilson thoughtfully curates our Otomys Spotify, Summer Sounds is on high rotation in the gallery and at home! 
     
    Reading: Book, magazine or column
    I always have a stack of books on my bedside table and am looking forward to working through them over Summer. Waiting for me are All That Glitters: A Story of Friendship, Fraud and Fine Art by Orlando Whitfield, Loved One by Aisha Muharrar and All the Beauty in the World by Patrick Bringley. I also have Heart the Lover by Lily King; Hannah Wilson and I are planning a book club in January to discuss it together. 
     
    Watching: Film or show
    One of my favourite authors is Maggie O’Farrell, who wrote The Marriage Portrait and Hamnet. Chloé Zhao’s adaptation of Hamnet is set for release in the New Year, which I’m eagerly anticipating. I’m also looking forward to Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights, another much-loved novel of mine. Two films on my cinema list! 
     
    Coveting: Artwork for yourself
    Believe it or not, I’ve run out of wall space in my apartment - so I’m coveting sculpture. I can’t stop thinking about the kinetic sculpture Mobile SP01 by Marie Bernard. With the windows open over Summer, I imagine it bringing a gentle sense of movement to my otherwise still and quiet space.
     
    I’ve also been deeply moved by Counterpoint I by Joel Sorensen. At first glance, you see a single hand, but on closer inspection, a second hand is gently resting beneath. Joel has a remarkable ability to imbue his materials with soul and emotion.
     
    If I had a spare wall, I would absolutely love to acquire The Dog and His Boy by Chica Seal. I have grown up surrounded by dogs. Between my parents we have four dogs, Winnie & Frankie and Tommy & Jerry. Dogs are the most wonderful and loyal companions and for me Chica captures the relationship between humans and animals so poignantly.

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    Megan Dicks, Co-Director

  • Gifting: Artwork for a loved one and why
    A few years ago, I gifted my parents a monotype by Anna Van Der Ploeg. They installed it in their entryway above an antique table and absolutely adore it. Given their interest in human psychology, the subtleties of human behaviour and interior emotional worlds explored by Anna makes me confident another work by Anna would resonate just as strongly, I’ve actually got my eye on Lose A Finger Grow A New Leaf for them.

    Listening: Podcast or piece of music
    I’m currently loving The Rest Is History, a podcast which looks at history’s most fascinating ( yet brutal ) rulers, deadly battles and world shaping events. A piece of music for this summer break, Lazy by Groovy Waters & Scubba takes me where I’d like to be!
     
    Reading: Book, magazine or column
    Otomys recently gifted me A Woman’s Eye, Her Art : Reframing the narrative through art and life by Drusilla Modjeska, so that is high on my the list of books, along with a pile of Substacks and magazines I’ve been accumulating for the Summer break. 
     
    Watching: Film or show
    I’m half way through It's All Her Fault and The Forsytes, so I’ll finish these this summer and hope to reduce my screen time then! More live theatre is on my list for next year.
     
    Coveting: Artwork for yourself
    I recently purchased a large stunning mohair tapestry by Frances Van Hasselt which I am wildly excited about installing in our passage. It will be a little while before my next art purchase but on my radar for 2026 is a pair of small works by Dapeng Liu, they’re technically strong, hold a compelling narrative and are aesthetically intriguing!

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    Hannah Wilson, Gallery Assistant

  • Gifting: Artwork for a loved one and why
    If I were to gift an artwork to a loved one, I would choose The Magicians Daughter by Caroline Cornelius for my mum. I recently acquired a work by Caroline myself, and my mum has been so captivated by it, she admires the tactile textures and the way the linen canvas holds the pigment. There’s something quietly absorbing about Caroline’s work, and knowing how much she responds to its presence, I’m certain she would adore this piece too.
     
    Listening: Podcast or piece of music
    We recently curated an Otomys summer playlist, Summer Sounds, which I’ve been loving having on throughout the day in the gallery. The playlist features Inga Dalrymple’s Inside Outside (Studio Views) as the cover artwork. I’ve also been really enjoying the After Work Drinks podcast lately, their debriefs on pop and fashion culture are always such a good listen.
     
    Reading: Book, magazine or column
    A book I’m currently flicking through is Flamingo Estate: The Guide to Becoming Alive. It’s been a lovely reminder to appreciate the small, sensory moments in everyday life, finding a sense of luxury in something as simple as a cup of tea. I’ve also recently been gifted Heart the Lover by Lily King, which I’m looking forward to reading on a summer road trip.
     
    Watching: Film or show
    I recently watched The Assessment and thoroughly enjoyed it. The way it looks at controlled parenthood and questions society stayed with me, and I was especially taken by the visuals, the sets and the colour palette are beautiful.
     
    Coveting: Artwork for yourself
    An artwork I’m currently coveting for myself is A Usual Exchange by Anico Mostert. I adore the way her elongated figures lean and merge into one another. There’s a sweet tenderness in their closeness, as though the figures are caught mid-conversation, which gives her work an emotional warmth. I'm also very drawn to Madisyn Zabel's glass work, in particular Construct XXVII. The glass feels both precise and vulnerable, with light becoming a part of the work rather than something that simply falls upon it.